610413FW

Dated April 13 1861

To "Dear Uncle"

From A. G. Walls

4 pages

Walls tells his uncle that his regiment has advanced twenty-two miles toward Yorktown since his last letter. While on their way to the new camp, they passed magnificent country seats empty except for "relics of ‘the peculiar institution.’" They also noticed "the works which the enemy had erected," including "‘Great Bethel.’" The next morning, the regiment saw General McClellan who "was enthusiastically received." Their new camp was "situated within one ½ mile of the enemys Forts." The enemy shot an "‘infernal machine’" at them, which is currently under examination because of its unusual structure. The previous day the regiment had been ordered to fall in so that they could reinforce the pickets of the 63^rd PV which were in danger. A "brisk fight ensued, and resulted in the enemy taking to their heels . . . ." Walls believes that although at least one man of the regiment is killed every day,

". . . our sharpshooters kill six to their one." He says he has seen some "pretty hard times," sleeping in the open during heavy rain, with nothing to eat. He closes by discussing the strength of the enemy forces as described to them by deserters.