Saturday August 20 1864
Dear Parents,
Yours of July 20th and Aug 9th are received and read with great pleasure. The first was received on the 14th we were then down at Strasburg the other came to hand last evening. I don't know but you will think hard of me for not writing before but believe me this is the first opportunity. For more than a week we had no communication with Harpers Ferry whatever. There was one train came through to us at Strasburg or rather part of one, the rest was captured by the enemy, they did not get the mail wagon but got a good many of our rations so that we were two days without anything to eat only what we could forage on the country and I tell you Virginia is getting to be a poor country for that. This has bee to me a very strange campaign. This little army was orgainized for the purpose of driving the Rebels out of the Shenandoah Valley. It is composed of the 6th 8th and 19th army corps with two divisions of cavalry. The whole under the command of Maj Gen Sheridan. We left our camp near Harpers Ferry (after three days rest) the 10th and marched out to meet the enemy (who then occupied Charlestown). When they found we were about to give them battle they beat a hasty retreat and we followed up skirmishing with them more or less all the way till we got as far as Strasburg. There they gained a very strong position and checked our further advance. Our generals it seems did not feel disposed to give them battle there consquently it was our turn to etreat. I expect the reason was on account of our being so far from our base of supplies and with the rest they had us flanked got in our rear and captured some of our wagons and now here we are at Charlestown only eight miles from Harpers Ferry. We have accomplished nothing or at least I cant see that we have. We lost about five hundred men at Winchester. The 1st brigade of our div were left with one div of cavalry as rear guard. The Rebels came on to them in strong force. They killed, wounded and captured all but about three hundred of the brigade. The cavalry most of it got away. I think there is very poor generalship some where. But it wont do for me to criticize nor find fault so I wont say anything more about it. What our next move will be I don't know or care much. I am all worn out with incessant marching and need rest more than anything else. If they give me a few days rest I amy feel better. I sent you my likeness last summer. You said you hardly knew it I was so poor. If that was the case then I don't think you would know me at all now. I am detailed at present as guard in the commisary deparment hope I can stay here eleven months and half. I think I shall be pretty sure of getting home again. But this is a world of changes still I hope and pray that our lives may be spared to meet again. I don't much expect to ever see Grandmother Hobart again. She is so low. All I have to say is I hope we may all be as well prepared to go as I think she is. Her work is well and faithfully done. I wish I was as sure of meeting her in heaven as I am sure that she will go there when she dies. My love to all friends in that vicinity when you write. Martha Jane also I will try once more and see if I can get a letter to her. Haven't hear from Frank in some time. Give me his address and I will try once more and see if I can open communications with him again. I am glad to hear you speak so highly of the country where you live. I hope if I live to come there I will like it as well. I will try and be more punctual in writing hereafter if mail communications holds good. Your letters come very regular now hope my will continue to do so while I am in the service. Well I fear I have wearied your patience on this so I will close for this tiem. I hope it will find you as it leaves me well. Love to all
As ever your son,
L E Baldwin
When you write direct to
Luman E Baldwin
11th Qrs 2nd Brigade 1st Div 6th Corps
Washington DC
I will have come there because it is more convenient. It is now afternoon I have just heard that there is a prospect of our laying still a few days. Good, Good, Good, if true. LEB
Envelop addressed to
Mrs Synthia H Baldwin
Hogansburgh
Franklin Co.