Friend
Edward,
Yours
of the 8th I read some time since, and should have answered it ere this
but have been so busy for the past three weeks that, I could get no
spare moments for such employment. We broke camp at Rappahannock Station
May 1st crossed the river and went in camp at night 2 miles east of
Brandy Station, and again on the 30th took up our line of march toward
the Ripadan,, and on the morning of the 4th at 8 Oc. our division
crossed the river, we being the first that crossed,, which we done
without any difficulty as the enemy did not dispute our passage thus
far,, but when we had arrived within 5 miles of Robinsons Tavern, we
found the Rebs drawn up in line of battle ready to receive us, and to
check our further progress toward Richmond. On
the morning of the 5th at 3 Oc. we hove up breast works, then after we
got them completed, we advanced upon the Joneys(Johnnys), and then one
of the greatest battles commenced that has been fought during the war,,
Our brigade and regt. lost heavily,, this day and at night fell back to
our works. Next day went into the fight and for four days in succession
our brigade was kept to the front, each day losing many men. On the morn
of the 8th at 1 Oc. AM. took up our line of march toward Spotsylvania
Court House which road run along the left wing of our line. At 4 Oc. PM.
our Regt. went into the fight 6 miles from said C.H. Lieut.
or rather Capt. Morrell was killed about dusk was shot in the head, we
were relieved from front 3 Oc. of the 9th AM. 10th(,)
went to the front 3 Oc. PM. very hard fighting on our right and left all
day but our Regt. was not engaged. 11th(,) some musketry and very heavy
artillery today. 12th(,) do. 13th(,) at 10 Oc. at night took up our line
of march again toward Spotsylvania C.H. and arrived near said place
6-1/2 Oc. AM.(6:30AM) of the 14th and then build earth works. 15th(,)
not much fighting today except pickets which was cept(kept) up at
intervails(intervals). 16th(,) some cannonading today along the line but
no general engagement,, built breast works today and lay in them during
the night. 17th(,) went to the left and front at dusk and built more
works all night and next morning of the 18th very heavy cannonading
today, casualties light. 19th(,) Rebs attacked the heavy artillery boys
on our right but were repulsed and drove back with heavy loss. 20th(,)
weather today very warm no fighting. 21st(,) Took up our line of march 2
Oc. PM. toward the Fredricksburg and Richmond Rail Road the Rebs driving
in our pickets as soon as we left but did not prsue(pursue) us far. We
struck for the R. Road at 7 Oc. PM. 14 miles from Fredricksburg then
marched 2 miles on road toward Richmond, then filed off to the right
marched 2 miles and went into camp for the night. 22nd(,) Took up line
of march at 11 Oc. AM. toward Hanover Junction, had slight skirmish with
the Joneys(Johnnys), and went in camp for the night 15 miles from said
Junction and had chicken stew for supper. Monday 23rd(,) took up line of
march 8 Oc. AM. and passed Mt. Carmills Church at 12-1/2 Oc.
PM.(12:30PM) and crossed the North Annie River at 4 Oc. PM. and our Div.
had not farly(fairly) got across before the Rebs attacked us like so
many hounds. but they found a warm reception and rather more than they
bargined(bargained) for ---- ---- for the prisners(prisoners) we took
said they intended to drive us all into the river but they were
mistakin(mistaken) for once, and handsomely repulsed on equal advantages
and position,,The fight was very severe indeed but did not last long.
The trees all around where the fight took place were mowed down like
grass by the artillery and then trunks completely peperred(peppered)
with miny(mini or many) bullets. We took about 800 prisners(prisoners)
in all and about as many next day. Built breast works all night and laid
in them until 4 Oc. PM. of the 24th, then took up line of march toward
the Oeang and Hanover(Orange and Hanover) Rail Road which we struck at 5
Oc PM. Then went in camp for the night. 25th(,) commenced (tearing) up
the rail road which I believe is the Va. Central instead of the former
name I gave it,, near Noles Station. Then at 1 Oc. PM. we went about one
mile to the front and hove up breast works the rest of the day and until
12 Oc. at night. 26th(,) Today there is no general engagement taken
place yet, but sharp picket firing. Have had 3 men wounded in our Regt.
today one of them mortally, the bullet passing through the center of his
body. Col. Chamberlain has command of us again. We like him very much
and the boys have great confidence in him as a commander. Our Major was
wounded in the last fight. He has had command of us all along but the
boys did not like him at all. His name is Spear but we call him
sorel-top as his hair is very yellow or rather red. Well Edward they
have commenced shelling so I will bid you good day for the present by
saying that my health is very good at present and I have come out
without a scratch so far. Give my love to all the folks and write soon.
From your friend
G.A.
Ramsdell
to
E.P. Pennell
words in parentheses are not as in the
original document, but are inserted for clarity in reading.
transcribed
by Gerry York, Harpswell Historical Society, Harpswell, Maine.
Addendum
to the transcript of a letter from George
Ramsdell, civil war soldier of the 20th Maine
Infantry, to Edward P. Pennell.
George A. Ramsdell died October 16, 1864, he mustered
into Co. K, 20th Maine Infantry on 29 Aug 1862. He was a resident of
Brunswick, Maine and was not married. The regiment arrived in Washington
DC. on 7 September 1862. The first engagement the 20th Maine fought was
at Antietam later that same month. Then came Fredricksburg and
Middleburg and, in July of 1863, Gettysburg. One record says George
Ramsdell was wounded in the breast, I think, however, that this refers
to the wound which he died from in October of 1864 as the letter above
written to Edward Pennell dated May 1864 says he "...has come out
without a scratch so far." He apparently was a Corporal at Gettysburg
and by the time of his death he had been promoted to Sergeant. According
to the Adj. Generals Report on the 20th Maine Regt., Ramsdell died of
wounds on 16 October 1864. The report does not say where he died or what
day the wounds were received but in September of 1864, the 20th Maine
participated in a battle known as Peebles Farm where they assaulted
Confederate earthworks and captured one cannon and seventy prisoners.
Later, on the same afternoon, the regiment fought against a massive
counterattack along the Boydton Plank Road. By the end of the day the
20th Maine had lost seven dead and fifty wounded. Ramsdell quite
probably was wounded there as the regiment doesn't seem to have
participated in any other engagements again until 27 October. By then
George had died. I have not determined his place of burial at this time.
sources: Maine
at Gettysburg; Adjutant Generals Report on the 20th Maine Infantry;
Pullen,
The 20th Maine;
