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Oliver Boardman correspondence and journals, 1861-1863
08_1862-04-24 Page 08
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thunder storm than ever I saw. [?] of aright dark night we lay far enough away to be out of the smoke and see all that was going on I couldnt see our artillery of course for the smoke only when they fired then it would flash so that I could see very plain all that was close around there would be flash after flash and peal after peal then for about abreath or two it would be in total darkness I wached the rebels battery and it was the same I would look off to the left and I could see the infantry from both sides maneuvering our men slowly driving them back it was astrange sight to me and one long to be remembered. about eleven oclock or a little after our sharp shooters succeeded in picking the gunners off that were working the rebels batteries that we had been so long at work at and alot of our men that lay there close went forward and took possession that ended the fight where we were we then went to where the infantry were. and after fighting until about three oclock had the pleasure of seeing the enemy driven from the field the cavelry then took our place and followed them as far as the could for the swamps. there was none of us hurt that day but Charley Claver he was wounded slightly. General Sherman was the bravest man that I saw during the whole engagement he was alwas where the balls were flying thickest he was as often between the two fires as back of us. the rebels had some brave Commanders I noticed. I dont know whether I got to see Beauregard or not I saw several moving around cheering their men but I couldnt tell one from another. there is two missing from our Company yet. they are Josh [?] and [?] Miles the most of our Cedar boys got off well old man Catern arrrived here afew days ago he looks well and hearty but he didnt find many of his Regt here. if you get as tired of reading this letter as I am of writing it you will never want to hear from me again but I couldn't help it whenever I get to writing I cant stop till I am tired out my paper got wet too thats whats the matter with it. I want you both to write forthwith immediately no more at present Oliver Boardman
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thunder storm than ever I saw. [?] of aright dark night we lay far enough away to be out of the smoke and see all that was going on I couldnt see our artillery of course for the smoke only when they fired then it would flash so that I could see very plain all that was close around there would be flash after flash and peal after peal then for about abreath or two it would be in total darkness I wached the rebels battery and it was the same I would look off to the left and I could see the infantry from both sides maneuvering our men slowly driving them back it was astrange sight to me and one long to be remembered. about eleven oclock or a little after our sharp shooters succeeded in picking the gunners off that were working the rebels batteries that we had been so long at work at and alot of our men that lay there close went forward and took possession that ended the fight where we were we then went to where the infantry were. and after fighting until about three oclock had the pleasure of seeing the enemy driven from the field the cavelry then took our place and followed them as far as the could for the swamps. there was none of us hurt that day but Charley Claver he was wounded slightly. General Sherman was the bravest man that I saw during the whole engagement he was alwas where the balls were flying thickest he was as often between the two fires as back of us. the rebels had some brave Commanders I noticed. I dont know whether I got to see Beauregard or not I saw several moving around cheering their men but I couldnt tell one from another. there is two missing from our Company yet. they are Josh [?] and [?] Miles the most of our Cedar boys got off well old man Catern arrrived here afew days ago he looks well and hearty but he didnt find many of his Regt here. if you get as tired of reading this letter as I am of writing it you will never want to hear from me again but I couldn't help it whenever I get to writing I cant stop till I am tired out my paper got wet too thats whats the matter with it. I want you both to write forthwith immediately no more at present Oliver Boardman
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