Excerpts of letters from Orsell C. Brown relating to Sidney Burroughs, the Wilderness and Laurel Hill
Sabbath Afternoon...Sunday morning May 8th I was with the Regt and we expected to fight, The Cavalry were coming in dismounted saying there was only a small force of the enemy ahead, and we could soon send them afloat. We halted in line and while resting the 9th Cav passed. I saw them all as usual and recd a cordial greeting. Capt Hawly, in particular wished to be remembered to my family. Capt Ayres said Lieut Bly was wounded. The order soon came for us to advance. We loaded our muskets and were ready for the fray. I picked mine up from the road side, bound to go in. Many thought me foolish but I was no better to be shot than thousands of others. It was a terrible fire amd the boys fell thick and fast as the leaders hail poured in upon us. we charged upon the enemy but were obliged to fall back suffering sumly in killed wounded and missing. I was glad when the scene was ended and we were relieved. there being so many wounded I helped them off the field to the Hospital, and staid there up to last night, although our wounded left for Fredericksburg soon after the Battle.
Orsell C. Brown to Olivia Brown
May 25, 1864
Near Whites Town Va
...I have helped the wounded from the Field and bandaged their wounds. Hospital scenes are never to be forgotten. While the sufferers lay upon the amputating table I administered the chloroform and then would witnefs whatever operation it was necessary to perform doing what I could to assist the surgeons, Legs, arms and fingers were taken off, and broken ones set, balls were taken from all parts of the body, and rapidly were the wounds dressed and the patient borne to his couch upon the ground. The sun did not fail to rise and set without pouring its first, or shedding its last beams upon some one of our number, who was sleeping in death. Patiently they bore their suffering, and nobly did they give up their lives, yet to some the sacrifice was great. Some of the wounded of both the battles May 5 + 8th in which our Regt was engaged died at this Hospital and we buried them as soldiers placing a board at their heads plainly marked, hoping that some day their remains may be borne to their own soil. One young man by the name of Burrows, Private of Co E died at our first Hospital, wounded through the body. He was a splendid fellow, and of a very fine family. I bathed his hands and face for him, and talked with him some + found he had been before the Board and passed for a 2nd Lieut. He inquired after Spry and said he hoped he escaped. He came from Washington the morning we left Alexandria, and so he had no musket, but he said he did not like to see the other boys going in, and he remain behind, so he followed on, and soon after the engagement commenced picked up a gun and went on with his comrades, He felt that his wound was mortal His Sisters Husband a Corpl. Went before the Board the same time and passed for a 1st Lieut. He too, is killed or a prisoner. Its not known. I found I could make myself very useful, and was glad I remained and deru what I could for my poor wounded companions...
...I asked Swan a comical fellow of Co E if they were living better now, to which he replied Oh! Yes, "we have one Hard Tack and a Cup of coffee for breakfast. The Christian Commission sing for dinner and the Band plays for supper."
The letters are excerpts from long letters from the Orsell C. Brown Collection, New York State Library, SC10598.
Note: Early on in the letter he mentions the death of General James C. Rice, formerly 44th NY regimental commander. On page 22 he describes Corps Hospital at Fredericksburg in an old paper mill "on the bank of [river] 3 stories high." John T. Sprague was Adjutant General for Governor Horatio Seymour. Brown was born in Pennsylvania April 20, 1835. He grew up at Asheville, Chautauqua County, New York and was educated at Bryant and Stratton College in Buffalo. After the war he served as an IRS accountant. He later lived in the South because he could no longer withstand the rigors of a Northern Winter. He died March 24, 1881.
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