OSHKOSH COURIER

November 1, 1861

Letter from the Third Regiment.

October 20^th, 1861

The fighting came off as was anticipated, and I realized my purpose. We had a warm engage-ment I assure you, and I came out without injury, and am at my old quarters again on regular duty, although there was some pretty close shaving. At one time when the enemy were trying to flank us on the left around a piece of timber, I went over the hill to a point of the woods to reconnoiter, and as I arrived on the top of the hill they turned their cannon upon me from the top of Loudon Heights and fired four round shot, each striking within thirty rods of me, I thought they were rather poor business using their artillery on one man. I swung my hat at them at each round. They then turned their piece again on our line. I intended to procure the balls as relics, but opportunity did not offer. I shall get them yet, if possible.

Now about the fight. About one and a half miles west of Harper’s Ferry is a high ridge of land known as Bolivar Heights, and between it and the Ferry lies Bolivar, which connects so closely with the Ferry that they appear as one town. About one week ago three companies, A., C. & H. of our Third Wis. were sent to the Ferry to assist two companies of Mass 13^th, and two companies of 28^th Penn., in capturing and removing a quantity of wheat to this side of the Potomac. On the morning of the 16^th, after the wheat was about all removed, our pickets were attacked and a fight was the result. – Col. Geary had command of our forces, and the companies above named comprised his command. Company II. Of the Third Wis. were on picket duty, and were stationed on Bolivar Heights. The advance was made by the enemy on our pickets at daylight, and their force was 1000 artillery, the artillery alternately firing and advancing and supported by the infantry and cavalry; as they came close on the pickets the cavalry divided and attempted to surround our men, and before reinforcements could arrive they were obliged to retire from their position, and done so in good order, losing 22 overcoats, 22 blankets, and several camp kettles. They were immediately supported by our whole force, which was drawn up in line as skirmishers from the Potomac to the Shenandoah; Companies A, (to which I was attached) and C, of 3d Wis., and C of 13^th Mass., occupying the right wing and the position where the heft of the fighting was done. And those were the companies that stood the brunt of the battle. Still the whole line were in action, and were constantly driving the enemy and being driven, having in the time taken and lost a 32-pound gun. This wavering continued until about two o’clock, when our cannon, two in number, were brought from the Maryland Heights to the Ferry and immediately brought into action, throwing shell with great accuracy. – We then rallied every man, number all told only about four hundred and sixty, and made one grand bayonet charge, driving the enemy from the hill and recapturing the 32-pounder, one wagon load of ammunition, four prisoners, among whom was their fighting parson, and as bitter a secessionist as the country affords, the enemy retreating to the woods three quarters of a mile beyond. The prisoners acknowledged their loss to be about 87 killed and wounded, and the inhabitants corroborate the account. Col. Geary, however, says he has positive information that their loss is not less than 150, among whom is the rebel Colonel Ashby. Our loss was four killed and nine wounded, one mortally. Colonel Geary was slightly wounded in the leg, thought to have been from a shell. The loss was almost wholly among our boys. Of Co. A, F, L, Tuttle of Dodge county, and Henry Clemons of Sheboygan, were killed; and Geo. Brixton of Co. I, but with A, and formerly of Illinois, mortally wounded. Of Co. C, Stewart Mosier and Henry Raymond of Monroe, Green county, were killed; four others slightly wounded. Ross of Green county missing. This constitutes the loss of the Third Regiment.

Loudon Heights, which rise several hundred feet from the east side of the Shenandoah and south of the Potomac commanding the town, was literally covered with troops armed with rifles and two pieces of artillery, fired a perfect storm of shot and shell in our rear, but with little effect, as the mortality list attests.

We understand from almost positive authority, that the number of the rebels engaged were two regiments, and numbering from 2500 to 3500, with four pieces of artillery, and had the advantage of ground, to which we opposed 400 men, and two pieces of artillery. – Unaccountable as it may seem, it is under such circumstances and against such odds that we fought for eight hours, driving them from their position, and with so small a loss. It is what took place under my own personal observation, and in which I participated. It indeed seems as though a special Providence interfered in our behalf. On the morning of the 17^th before daylight we quietly withdrew to this side of the river by order of Col Geary, having heard that the enemy were being heavily reinforced.

I have been where I have long wished to be, and have tried my hand at the genuine article, and I cannot discover but what I am as ready for another brush tomorrow as I was for the one past. The bayonet charge I spoke of was a brilliant affair, and the boys, in fact all through, come in for a large share of praise. Capt. Scott’s company are nearly all in excellent health, and we are still stationed on guard at Frederick City, and regret much that they were not with their fellows to take their chance for the honors in the fight at Bolivar.