Civil War Defenses of Washington D.C.
Battery Cameron (two guns), located at 1900 Foxhall Road and Resevoir Road.
Letter from a Civil War private James M. Hewett, 117th New York Volunteer Infantry
Fourth Oneida Regiment, Company H guarding the Battery Cameron.
Battery CameronSep 3, 1862
Brother George,
I wrote to you the 26th [August] and stated we had just got into camp. We left there on Friday afternoon and went out in the woods on picket duty without overcoats or blankets; it rained all day on Sunday and we had a nice old time of it. Yesterday we were marched up to this battery. Some say that our Company is going to drilling in heavy artillery and I hope we will; but there is no telling what we will do, nor where we will go. Nor when and I don't care much. Our Regiment is all split to pieces and some think that it never will get together again. There is a report that we will be shoved into old Regiments; if we are it will be one damned shame. But it is all humbug down here anyway. As for news, you can find out more at home than I can down here. They seem to try to keep us ignorant of what is going on over in Virginia. We are within a very short distance of Virginia; we are within sight of a number of forts and encampments. We are in sight of thousands of soldiers. A great many of them marched out this morning to reinforce the army in the field. As near as I can learn our forces are getting the worst of it about every day. They have been fighting more or less every day for a week past within from 18 to 25 miles of here; we can hear the cannon very plain. Last Friday morning we were routed up about one o'clock and started on quick time for Chain Bridge, expecting old [Major General Thomas Jonathan] Stonewall Jackson [I Corps, Army of Northern Virginia] was a going to try to come over (our pickets having been driven in about twelve o'clock that night). We arrived at the bridge just at day break and went on to the Virginia end of the bridge and tore up the flooring but afterwards laid down a narrow walk just wide enough for two men abreast so that troops could pass over from our side to reinforce those already over there. We had cannon placed so as to sweep the bridge, and powder under it so as to blow it up in case our troops got defeated and driven across the bridge and they attempted to follow. Six or seven thousand of our troops crossed over that day and we expected to go too, but after waiting until about 10 o'clock and seeing no signs of the rebels we were ordered back to camp and had not got half rested before we were ordered off into the woods, and so it goes. Up to 3 o'clock this afternoon I have not heard over half a dozen guns. I guess there's not much fighting going on thus far today, but they may have a hell of a fight before night. This morning it was reported that old Stonewall was only eight miles from here, but I guess that he is a little farther off. Although we are expecting an attack from him every day, if he comes at all it will be in a very few days. Our Company is stationed about halfway between Chain and Long Bridges. We are about 1-1/2 miles from Georgetown, and 4-1/2 from Washington. We have 18 artillerists with us, and two 64 pounders (old ones I tell you). George, I am in a poor place to write or compose a letter either so you have no business to look after poor writing or bad spelling. Write to me as soon as you can and give me all the news that you can think of. Give my respects to your wife, and Julia and Johny. Also to Father and Mother and and Vernon. Tell little Eddy that his Pa is alive yet and has not forgot him. Let me know how the poor little fellow gets along and how I would like to kiss him (but never mind). George, I have forgotten whether I told you any thing about signing an allottment roll or not but I will tell you now that I signed an allottment roll at Rome. I signed to send home ten dollars per month of my wages, and the other three dollars I will be paid. It will be sent in the shape of a check on Uncle Sam negotiable at any bank. It will be directed to Oriskany Falls to Father. It is sent at government risk; if one check is lost they are bound to give you another. If Father ever receives one I want him to get the money on it and deposit it in his own name for the benefit of Eddy. I cannot think of any more to write to day.
Good bye, Brother.
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