Old House, at Home
My dear Brother [Bayard];
It has been more than two weeks now since I first came home. For a few days in the beginning however I was confined to the house by a slight attack of rheumatism and a feeling of utter bodily prostration and, during the past week, I have been to Harrisburg and Washington, where a number of wounded and sick of my company are so that I only now have the opportunity to write you the details of our march, capture, imprisonment etc. After you left us at Alexandria, our plans were changed and we marched out, in the latter part of April, by way of Manassas, to Falmouth, on the Rappahannock, opposite Fredericksburg. On the 25th May, an order came from Gen]. [Irwin] McDowell, transferring four companies of our Regt (including mine) to Bayard's Cavalry Brigade, Ord's Division) to be under Kane's command. We marched at once to join the Brigade, encamped nine miles down the river. The same day we marched back with the Brigade, crossed the river and went five miles in the direction of Gordonsville. The following day we returned and advanced fifteen miles on the Richmond road and the next day ten more, bringing us within forty miles of Richmond and fifteen miles of some of McClellan's forces at Hanover Court House Junction. From this point, we were ordered to return and proceed, with all possible dispatch, to the Shenandoah. I should have mentioned that we found no enemy except one or two stray picquets [sic]. We retraced our steps, recrossed the river, marched by Catletts and Manassas and entered the Valley at Front Royal. At Strasburg, we came up with Jackson's rear and started in pursuit, being one hour and a half ahead of [General John C.] Fremont, who had come down from the north. We formed his advance thenceforth, skirmishing daily with the enemy's rear-guard and taking a great many prisoners. At Mt. Jackson, we could not save the bridge and were delayed two days by the floods in getting down a pontoon bridge at Harrisonburg, 35 miles beyond, we again came up with the enemy. Two Regts. of cavalry were sent forward to find out the position and strength of the enemy's rear-guard. The Infantry and Artillery were ordered to camping-grounds. It was 3 o'clock P.M. when we arrived (June 6th), having marched 18 miles-at 6 o'clock, the report reached us that the cavalry had fallen into an ambuscade, four miles beyond, been routed and lost, in officers and men, fifty or sixty killed and prisoners. Our battalion was immediately formed and marched out, some cavalry accompanying us. We numbered, all told, 115 men. We were to proceed with caution, as skirmishers, recover if possible the dead bodies of the cavalrymen and find out what they failed to do. Some of Fremont's scouts had been out and, coming back, reported the enemy in small force (two or three hundred in all) but in ambush. They also assured us that there were none nearer than the point where the cavalry had been attacked four miles off. We had gone a mile and a half through the fields parallel to the road-and, entered a woods, halted for the 'purpose of throwing forward skirmishers. The dispositions for that purpose had not been made when a volley was poured into us from the thick bushes in front and not more than 150 ft. distant. We at once took such cover as could be had and returned the fire. After 15 or 20 minutes firing the enemy had fallen back and we thought the field ours. A number of our men had been wounded and we had been looking vainly for reinforcements, one or two infantry regiments being encamped within 10 minutes march of us. (General Turner] Ashby who was in command of the Rebels soon reformed his men and led them forward at a charge, having a front Of 4 Regts. We kept their center at bay but their flanks being unopposed pressed forward and, unobserved by us, coming down through the bushes, gave us a raking crossfire. The situation was hopeless, our men broke cover and ran-Kane was wounded, in the leg, rather early in the fight, but I was not aware of it. However, being second in command and not seeing him, I made a last effort to rally the men behind a fence that we might check the enemy somewhat by one good volley and, before he recovered, effect our escape. I succeeded in forming about 20 men behind the fence and, as the enemy advanced, cheering, gave him a volley which had the desired effect. All of our men escaped except the killed and three or four who had been mortally wounded. Myself and one man of my company were however cut off before we could effect our escape, the enemy were so close upon us. Kane was afterward found upon the field wounded. We three were all the prisoners they captured. I afterwards learned they lost, in two Regts alone 50 killed (including Ashby) and 150 wounded. I should have told you before, that we had been marching 13 days continuously, averaging 19 miles per day on the shortest possible allowance of food; namely: 4 1/2 day's rations of crackers, 2 of coffee and sugar, 3 1/2 of salt pork. This severe march will account for our reduced numbers, one half our battalion having given out on the way. I fared myself no better than the men, but fortunately had strength to carry me through. After the fight I was taken six miles through the mud and darkness to the camp of the 58th Va., commanded by a brother of Gov. [John] Letcher. The treatment of the enemy was kind and consideret [sic] throughout. They brought me a board to sleep on and gave me a cartridge box for a pillow. I slept without trouble I can assure you. The following day I was sent out to Genl. [R. S.] Ewell's Head-Quarters. He was pleased to speak very complimentary of our conduct and behaved very handsomely toward me. I have since seen a general order of his, published in the Richmond papers, authorizing two Regts. of his command to carry a "Bucktail at the peak of their color-lance for gallant conduct in a fight with the famous Bucktail Regt. of Penna." Genl. Ewell sent me to Port Republic with a note to the officer in command there to grant me parole and allow me every facility to attend upon Col. Kane, whose wound, it was feared might prove serious. On the following day we were then recaptured by a cavalry force of [General Jamesl Shields" command and, almost immediately, retaken by the enemy, who took likewise some of the cavalry. I suppose they have written you from home that I escaped without hurt. My clothes alone were badly torn by the bullets. I had some..',,,, miraculous escapes, having been singled out, as I was told, by no less than twenty-five men. After our second capture we were hurried forward to Staunton, the next day went by rail to Charlottesville, then to Lynchburg, then Petersburg. We remained there two days and, on the third, were sent on board our Flag of Truce Boat at City Point. I could not keep down a yell as I jumped onto the deck. We were only held a week as prisoners. I was witness, during that time, to a great many amusing incidents, which I would like to relate to you. At Petersburg, the officer in command (Genl [Robert] Ransom) learned by some means, that I was your brother. He said to Kane, when I was not present, "Why, his Brother is a noted abolitionist; but he seems a perfect Gentleman." "Sir, Kane replied with a crushing air, "he is my friend!"
The latter part of this letter is written here at Annapolis where I was ordered to report some ten days ago to the officer in command of the Camp of Instruction, for such duty, not incompatible with my parole, as I might be assigned to. All officers and soldiers on parole are ordered to do likewise. There is yet, however, no camp of instruction here and I have had nothing to do. I had a long talk with Gov. Curtin some days ago on the car. He called to me, having' recognized me at once. He said I should have command of one of. the new Penna Regts and that he would do what he could to have me exchanged. I feel this cannot be accomplished, as the authorities at Richmond refuse to make any more individual exchanges until a regular system shall have been agreed upon between them and our Government. This it seems cannot be effected. It is rumored that we, who are on parole, will be sent to garrison the posts on the Canadian Frontier. Matters at home are getting on as well as could be expected. I was there nearly two weeks. I have been enabled, with my surplus pay to square off a number of old scores. In two months more every thing will be cleared off without touching the crops.
I met a few days ago Mr. George P. Smith of Pittsburg[h], who said he met you in Egypt, having traveled with Achmet as Dragoman. He said he had no doubt that you would soon be full minister. He also told me to say to you when I wrote that, if you wished to find out what was going on at Washington (behind the curtains) to write to him at the Continental Hotel Phila. Give my love to Marie and Lily I hope you will write to me. I shall write again as soon as I know anything definite as to my future movements. With much love.
Ever affectionately your brother
Chas Frederick Taylor