Archive Record

Images

1 of 1977

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Metadata

Catalog Number

XI.1.2.2019.029.29

Collection

Hazzard Family Collection

Object Name

Letter

Title

Letter from Thomas D. Hazzard to Joseph H. Hazzard

Scope & Content

In this letter, Thomas Davis Hazzard writes to his brother and details his experience in the Battle of Antietam. This letter includes the movements of his regiment through Virginia and Maryland leading up to the battle, including a mention of possibly partaking in the Second Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of South Mountain. During Antietam, Hazzard was in Sedgwick's Division and partook in the fighting in the West Woods and cornfields. In the cornfield, he was on foot fighting Confederate Calvary. He details that he was resigned to fight until he died. When his troops were pushed into the woods, he ran back to help fellow soldier. Hazzard calls Antietam "as hard a battle as ever was fought." He notes the tremendous loss of life in the battle. He also recounts the smells and experience of burying the dead in the days after the battle.

Dates of Creation

September 20, [1862]

Date

September 20, [1862]

Notes

This letter is addressed to "Brother." All of Thomas D. Hazzard's letters are addressed to "Brother," in reference to Joseph H. Hazzard.

The full transcription of the letter is as follows:

Camp Near Sharpsburge [Sharpsburg]
Sept, 20th
[9/20/1862]

Dear Brother
I take this opptunity [opportunity] of writing thes [these] fue [few] lines to let you know i am still alive and in good sperits [spirits]. the Resons [Reasons] why i have not sent you a letter befor [before] was i had no post stamp and no money and could not borow [borrow] aney [any]. we started from Harrisons landon [Landing] and marched to New Port news [News] and took the boat for acquire creek and 2 hours after landing we took the boat for Alexander [Alexandria, VA] and stoped [stopped] thear [there] one day and then we marched to Chain Bridge and stoped [stopped] over night then we started for Fairfax and then to Centervill [Centreville, VA] and then we had a brush with the Rebles [Rebels] at Bulls [Bull] Runn [Run]. and after giving the Rebles [Rebels] som [some] of Uncle Sams pills we retretead [retreated] to Chain Bridge and there we stoped [stopped] 2 days at a place called Tennelytown [Tennallytown or Taneytown] M.D. then we started and drove the Rebles [Rebels] from Fredrick [Frederick] City. to Boons Mountains whear [where]
[page break]
we had a hard brush. on our way one day our company with Comp. [Company] D was a skirmeshing [skirmishing] and we come upon some Reble [Rebel] Cavalery [Calvary] after we drove them in the woods and our General anew [knew] one named Howard and Conl. [Colonel] Wister come up to us in the road and the Rebles [Rebels] maid [made] a charge upon them and we was in a coarm [corn] feild [field] and we emped [emptied] nearly all the sadles [saddles] and last whensday [Wednesday] we had as hard a battle as ever was fought. just as our Brigade got in the woods after making 3 havey [heavy] charges upon the Rebles [Rebels]. Our left flank was turned and we had but one thing to do and that was to run at the Rebles [Rebels] was pouring Srape [Shrapnel] and Canester [Canister] into us from our left and Bullits [Bullets] on front and in our Backs. maney [many] of our Brave men fell thear [there] i was as calm as if i was eating a good meal at home and my eyes caught our flag still in the woods with about 6 or 8 men around it and i whent [went] in by them
[page break]
and maid [made] up my mind to fight for them untill [until] i died but it got to hot and we walked away slowely [slowly] and turned and fired upon our foes as thay [they] was coming on us. and at last we stoped [stopped] behind a rock and at last we had to fall back
Now we have but 244 men in our Regt. [Regiment] the sick and thoes [those] on Extray [Extra] duty is counted in the 244 so we have but about 175 for duty Our Company is 20 short some killed some wounded and some missen [missing].
My Freind [Friend] Gilbert that was with me to your house is missen [missing] + we now lay on the Battle ground, and this is satuarday [Saturday] afternoon and we have not began to burey [bury] the dead Rebles [Rebels] yet as shovels is scarse [scarce] and we have maney [many] dead of our owen [own]. and of all the smells i ever smelt this beats all. we have not had time to wash a shirt for 6 or 7 weeks. and we
[page break]
have tore all our clothes to rags now we expect to get some Rest. i hear we are to march for. Clarkesvill [Clarksville] M.D. [Maryland] we are at present onley [only] 60 miles from Harrisburge [Harrisburg]. we have not be beinna [been] paid for 4 monthes [months] + so when the pay master comes it will be [some] [punkings]. Give my love and Respects to all the folks. and Pleas [Please] rite [write] to me scoon [soon] and let me know how you all are -
I remain Your Brother
Thomas. D. Hazzard
Direct
T. D. Hazzard
Company B.
Bakers California Reg- [Regiment]
Washington
or Elswheare [Elsewhere] D. C.

Extent of Description

1 leaf, 10.5" by 7.8"

Relation

Show Related Records...

Condition

Fair

Condition Notes

Overall, letter is in fair condition. This sheet has many folds throughout. It has one primary vertical fold splitting the sheet in half. There are four other vertical folds and six horizontal folds. There is discoloration along the fold lines and the edges. There are splotches of dark discoloration along the bottom edge. This letter is written in pencil making its lettering very faded.

Legal Status

Owned by The Union League Legacy Foundation.