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Paroled Camp Annapolis, Md. May 16,1863 Dear Parents; we arrived at Annapolis early in the morning. I wrote yesterday that we were going to Alexandria but it seems that I was mistaken. There is a large paroled camp here where they intend to keep us until we are exchanged. Our regiment left our camp at Brooks Station early Monday morning the 27th of April and arrived at Chancelorville Thursday noon after a hard march of 60 miles. We encamped in the woods about 1/4 mile from a large brick house in which General Hooker has his headquarters. We laid there until Friday noon when our Brigade was marched out to the plank road by the brick house. We then marched up the road about a mile and then turned out into an open field where we formed a line of battle. We then marched about a mile through the woods. It was here that the Rebs got a sight on us but as we all lay tight to the ground no one got hit. After lying there for about a half hour we advanced about another 1/2 mile. Here we halted again after sending our skirmishers out in front who promptly found the location of the Rebels. We were then ordered to fall back through the woods again to camp. The Rebels were throwing shells at us all the time but most of them went over our heads, cutting off the limbs of the trees at a great rate. No one was hurt in our Regiment. We got back to camp about 5 in the afternoon. Most of the regiment dug rifle pits all night using their bayonets and tin plates. Ours didn't dig any. We lay there until Saturday noon when I went on picket. That was the last we ever heard about the 149th. I wrote in my letter yesterday how we came to be taken. I don't think we would have been taken if the Major who commanded our pickets tended to his business. He told us to stay at our posts until we were attacked from the front. This was Saturday afternoon just before the night. He went back to camp and that was the last we see of him. If we had fell back to the reserves early Sunday morning we wouldn't have been taken. After we were taken they took us back through their lines to the plank road. Here we found about 600 of our men including all of the pickets of our brigade. They kept us there until noon when they started us for a place called Guineys Station on the railroad to Richmond. The distance was only about 14 miles but they took a road that went 30 miles to the same destination. I suppose the reason was that General Stoneman was some where on the road and they didn't want to run across him. We got to the station about 9 in the evening and we were all tired out. Two of the men died on the road. They kept us here until Thursday. They didn't give us anything to eat until tuesday when they gave us a pint of flour and a small piece of salt beef to each man for a days rations. We had to cook the flour the best way we could. You think we didn't make some awful messes. I think they have all of the prisoners here. I think there were about 5000 of them in all. Thursday at noon they started about 2000 of us for Richmond. We expected to go in the cars but we were mistaken. We marched the first day to Hanover Junction. The next day we marched to Milford Station. Th following day we marched about 30 miles to Richmond. We were marched about 3 miles through the city to Libby Prison. By the time we got there we were about used up. The streets were crowded with people to see the Yankees. We stayed at Libby Prison or warehouse from Saturday night until Wednesday morning. We were paroled on Monday with ever man signing his name to papers. While we were in Richmond they gave every man a half loaf of bread and a small piece of bacon for a days rations. Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm they started us for City Point about 35 miles from Richmond. I suppose they intend to march us clear through without stopping. We marched until about 10 o'clock when there came up an awful thunder shower. We kept on marching for about a 1/2 hour when it got so dark we couldn't see where we were marching so we had to stop until morning. The next morning they started us at daylight again. We got to City Point at noon where we found our steam boats ready to take us off. This ended our marching and I think we had had enough. Since we left camp we have marched over 200 miles. We were glad to see our old flag again and to get some of UNCLE SAMS rations. As soon as I got on the steamer I wrote to you, and left the letter at Fortress Monroe. I suppose you will get it. I havn't heard anything from our regiment. As soon as you get this letter I wish you would answer it and give me all the news with a list of the killed and wounded of our regiment. I wish you would send a paper giving an account of the battle as I havn't see one yet. I think the reason for us getting beat was that General Hooker was out Generaled. I think the battle would have turned out different if the 11th corps which is most all Dutchmen hadn't broke and run like a pack of cowards. Direct your letter to Co E 149th vol. Colledge Green Barracks, Annapolis Md. Care of Maj. D. J. Everts. I will write again in a few days. Our Regiment hadn't been paid off yet so I am out of money. Please send me two dollars in your next letter and if it comes safe I will send for more should I need it. Oliver |
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