CIVIL WAR LETTERS - 57th New York Infantry - Terrific Content from Alexandria VA

Description

CIVIL WAR LETTER
Co. H, 57th New York Infantry. Written on Regimental Song Sheet "Hero's Memento"
Augustus Chambers was 38 years old when he enlisted at New York City on 17 September 1861 to serve three years in
Co. H, 57th New York Infantry.
One years later—to the very day, he was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam.
Augustus was the son of Solomon Chambers (1791-1835) and Ann Johnson (1790-1885) of New Jersey. He was married 23 November 1845 to Elizabeth Hancock (1818-1859) and the couple had at least three children: Joseph Hancock Chambers (1847-1932), Charity H. Chambers (born 20 June 1850), and John R. Chambers (born 7 February, 1857). In the 1850’s, Augustus was employed as a “laborer” in Burlington, New Jersey, with a residence on Pearl Street. He was an active member of the Methodist Church. A widower, in 1860 he was enumerated in Ann Hellina’s boarding house in Burlington; his young children apparently being raised by others.
The particulars of Augustus’s death cannot be found but we can assume that he was struck down in the regiment’s charge upon the Sunken Road or in the Piper’s cornfield beyond. Sixteen enlisted men from the 57th New York regiment lost their lives on the field that day. Seventy-three more were wounded, most of whom survived. A regimental history describes that moment as follows:
“We are lying behind the hill that overlooks the field of action, every moment expecting to go in. The bullets are whistling over our heads and our hearts are beating as fast as the lead is flying. ‘Whose head will come off,’ we are asking ‘when we rise and move forward?’ The worst part of a battle is this waiting to go in. ‘Fall in!’ The word has come, we jump up, get in line and march steadily in battalion front to the brow of the hill. Now we are in it and the minies are plenty. As we pass the Sixty-Ninth—or what is left of them about a hundred men with colors in tatters—they cheer and we return it. Down the side of the hill toward the Sunken Road the Fifty-Seventh and the Sixty-Sixth charge together and over the ditch they go, stepping on the bodies of the rebel dead. Yet another charge and we have taken Piper’s house and are in the cornfield beyond. All along the path of this charge our men have fallen killed and wounded, but victory is ours.”
[Fifty-Seventh NY State Vol., by Gilbert Frederick, Ch. VIII]
Transcription
[Alexandria, Virginia]
[21 February 1862]
Jos, my dear boy,
I received your letter yesterday and am glad to know that you are all well except Mrs. Taylor and that she is getting better and that she was able to write some in your letter for it was a pleasure and encouragement to me to read it. We soldiers like to receive and read letters from our friends at home. I hope that your letter will always be filled up with such encouraging lines. You did not say whether you received my last letter or not [that] I sent about three weeks ago and a quarter of a dollar in it and I have been thinking today perhaps you did not get it.
I haven’t much news to tell you yet about the Army of the Potomac. We are here yet almost stuck fast in the mud. There is so much stormy weather it keeps the camps and the roads almost a quagmire so that it is impossible for the army to move but we are under marching orders all the time and our Colonel told us tonight at dress parade to be ready for any emergency—to wear our [cartridge] belts through the day, to be ready at a moment’s warning—and I think something will be done along the Potomac before long. Our expedition along the rebel coast are doing wonders. They are gaining victory after victory in the Gulf States as you have no doubt seen in the papers. The rebels are being killed and taken prisoners by thousands and their strongholds taken from them and I think the way things are going the war will soon be ended as soon as the going will admit. The Army of the Potomac will advance and soon whip them out of Virginia. That I think will end the conflict [and] is the opinion of most everyone—that all will be over in two months. That will be a joyful time when the soldiers who have been a long time from home and from those they love can return with victory perched upon their banners. Let us all pray to the Great Ruler above that He may hasten the glorious day.
Tomorrow is Washington’s Birthday. I expect we shall have quite a time in our camps. The New Jersey 4th and the New York 64th Regiments raised nice and high poles today and have splendid flags which will be floating from them and we shall have plenty of good music. We have plenty of that every day for that matter. I should like you all to be here to see the camps and soldiers and listen to our good music.
February 22nd. Before light this morning I heard one of the bands playing sweetly,
Hail Columbia, Happy Land
, and at reveille the band of the 52nd New York played beautifully the
Star Spangled Banner
. Since that time the cannons [in all] the forts around have been roaring which makes one think this is more than an ordinary day although it is raining again [as] usual.
Two regiments of infantry and one of cavalry left here this [morning] to go to assist our pickets in case the rebel scouts attempt to drive them in. They made quite a show when they left. A thousand horses together makes a pretty long string. The horses and men looked fine.
But I must bring my letter to a close. You may look for me home in April. I am still blessed with good health. I have not seen a sick hour yet since I left home. We was out on picket last week. We had one stormy day. The other three was very fine. Some of us went as far as Burke’s Station [in Fairfax] but saw no rebels. That place is about 15 miles from our camp and 25 from Washington.
Give my love to all and I want you all to pray for me that I may have grace and victory over every besetment & sin. — Your Father
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