CIVIL WAR LETTER - 93rd New York Infantry, BATTLE CONTENT at Petersburg, VA !!

Description

Civil War Letter
Civil War Letter - Written by Soldier in Company "I" of the 93rd New York Infantry
This Civil War soldier letter was written by Jerome Sears (1833-1864), the son of Hiram Sears (1802-Bef1860) and Sarah Adams (1808-18083) of Lake, Washington county, New York.
Jerome enlisted in Co. I, 93rd New York Infantry, on 25 December 1861. He enlisted as a private and rose in the ranks to Orderly Sergeant of his company before he was wounded in the fighting at Deep Bottom, Virginia, on 15 August 1864. He died on 24 August 1864 at the Satterlee General Hospital in Philadelphia.
Jerome Sears of Co. I, 93rd NYSV
Jerome’s younger brother, George W. Sears (1837-1910), is mentioned from time to time in these letters. George served as a private in Co. A, 123rd New York Infantry.
Jerome wrote all of the letters to his good friend and Methodist clergyman John Milton Webster (1828-1914), the son of Orrin Hollister Webster (1800-1862) and Theda Streeter (1802-1872). Webster was married to Chloe Mary Barney (1832-1922) in 1853.
Drum Corps of the 93rd New York Infantry at Bealeton, Virginia, August 1863
Transcription
On the battlefield
June 1st 1864
Dear Bro. Webster,
I have only time to write a few lines. I received yours of the 4th on the 15th/ Also your last of the 20th yesterday. There is so much that I want to tell you I hardly know where to begin. In the first place, I want to say to the praise of God that my life has been spared through the terrible battles that I have been in. I have been in seven engagements—some of them lasting all day. the first was on the 5th of May. My company[lost] 17 in killed and wounded. the morning of the 6th the fight was commenced at daybreak, lasted all day. I was hit very slightly on my finger. About noon we were ordered to fall back a little. While turning around, a bullet struck my knapsack and lodged in one of my shirts. It came very near going through my knapsack.
The next day we were being driven back some and trying to rally our line. I with two others rushed out ahead of our line of battle about 15 paces [while] our men were firing. One of them shot very near my head—so near that it hit my ear but did not injure me any. It taught me a good lesson.
On the 12th our Corps made a charge on the enemy’s works at 4:30 o’clock A. M. It was a terrible time. We took 7,000 prisoners and 28 guns. After we had taken the guns, a few of us turned a large brass piece on the enemy. We had plenty of their solid shot and shell & we were using it to good advantage. They soon got a gun to bear on us. A shell burst in the air over my head. A piece of it struck me on the left hip. I was not bad hurt at the time [but] I could not get off the field without help. I soon found that I was not seriously wounded—it was only a bruise. My commanding officer told me to go to the hospital a few days. I did not feel as if I could leave what was left in my company so I came back on the field the next morning. I have been some lame ever since but have been in every fight & have done my duty ever since.
Our company went into the first fight with 48 men. Now we have only twelve left and only 9 [fit] for duty. Our 1st Lieutenant who commanded the company was killed on May 6th. Jay H. Northup, our 2nd Lieut., has been I command since. Sergt. [William] Barber was shot through the ankle on the 23rd. He came to the regiment on the 20th. It was the first fight he was in. Sergt. [William] Hawkins was shot through the leg on the 5th of May. His leg was amputated. Sergt. [Robert S.] Robertson in the foot. He is doing well. Corp. [Jabez B.] Eldridge killed. Corporal [John] Orcutt wounded in the hand. Private Henry Orcutt killed. Private Murray killed. Private Balcom killed. We have lost only 5 killed that we know of. The rest are wounded and missing. We numbered 560 in the first fight in our regiment. Now we have only 150.
We are now on the Peninsula about 12 miles from Richmond but [illegible] every day. I don’t know how long the state of things will last. I can’t write any more now. Stuart Wilson wounded. Junius Clark wounded. Col. Crocker is as brave as a lion. He had command of the Brigade a few days. He [illegible] now. Major [Samuel] McConihe is in command. I want to say a word about our Lieut. Jay H. Northup. He is a noble young man & the bravest of the brave. He lives in Hartford, New York.
Excuse this awful writing. My love to you all. — Sergt. J. Sears
P. S. Direct as before. Write often. If you go to Argyle, call and see Sergt. Hawkins & Capt. Randles. — J. S.
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