Wickham Park
East Hartford, Conn.
August 22-23, 1998 Fisher's Hill,
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
June, 1864

Dear Brother,

The honorable Eighth has arrived on new ground recently in the Shenandoah Valley here near Fisher's Hill, now held by loyal troops. We marched here on Friday from the Winchester area on orders to secure the area. We were halted here and made camp in a large grassy meadow. There were three or four battalions in our camp here, numbering around a hundred or so. Our neighbors included our friends from the 10MA, the 25MA, our loyal 2CHA, and of course our own 8CV. There were Signal Corps and a small calvary detachment hard by. To the west of our camps were the said hill, raising steadily, divided by split rails about half way up, and ringed by wood lines to the summit. Our observers and pickets keep their eyes on the crest and notice the Rebel pickets skulking there.

On Saturday morning, revielle was at the normal time, where we dragged out and got going, fell in for roll call in full gear and proceeded directly to company drill. It was well to get our instructions before our breakfasts, since it was looking to be a hot and sultry day in these parts. We returned to camp, posted our colors, and put on the coffee. The Sergeant Major rounded up the guard details and proceeded to a high security guard mount. Things were getting a little electric. The bulk of the battalion was formed for dress parade around 11 of the clock, which was quite prolonged, and concentrated on the inspection of arms. Mrs. Lincoln was traveling amongst the towns in the valley, and was present to deliver a few short words of inspiration and appreciation to the men from President Lincoln. The parade was dismissed.

As the day got hotter, and the sun beat upon our brows, we suffered to build a shebang out of cut sticks and boughs for shade at the top of our street. The difference was top rate. We enjoyed the rest and sipped clear spring water there.

But the dream did not last too long, for promptly we were called out by the officers, and formed for battle. We were formed out of sight of the hillcrest and the calvary was advanced. Our support guns were pressed into action, and these actions compelled the rebels to advance a skirmish line to test our strength. They did so just to the front of the split rail fence traversing the hillside. They were tenacious, and withstood the endeavors of the artillery and the calvary for some time.

So, then we were advanced against Rebel skirmishers, and with the force of battalion vollies, they still stood their ground, and sustained great losses, but were finally compelled to give their ground, and return to the main Rebel host.

The Rebel artillery to our left had obtained our range, and were starting to out gun ours, as the counter battery duel was swinging in their favor. The infantry were being enfiladed with rail iron and nails which left heavy losses in the ranks. We retreated in order, recovered our composure, and were advanced again against the hill with the same results. We withdrew in order once again, and this time retired back to protect our camps. We put out our pickets, and collected the wounded, since none of them were left behind the Rebel lines since the Rebels had no reason to expand their ground from the top of the hill.

As the afternoon wore on, a rivalry was renewed, as once again a game of Massachusetts Townball was had with the 1st Marylanders. As always, the prize at stake was the bell for sounding the tallies. And as our habit has been, the boys of the 8th got off to a handy lead in the first few sides. It was our demise in the final side to finally sustain a loss of 15-9 due to the stellar performance of a slight little one they call Joe. We had been ahead 9-7, but became jaded, or they became savvy, one or the other. But the bell could not be produced, as Capt. Kurtz was no where to be found, and they began to desire it even more.

Returning to the camps, retreat was sounded, and the most of the boys began preparing their suppers. Some of the young local women were about the camp, and desired to show their support to us in the form of a raffle of chicken soup. It was a nice gesture, probably calculated to keep us from harming their homes and farms in their fathers and brothers absence. So our dinners were supplemented nicely. We then conducted a meeting as to the proper dispositions of our solvent Company Fund, and determined to spend our full measure on certain useful items for the company, and not to spend any monies that we do not possess, since muster for pay is highly irregular here. Later that evening, our camp was visited by a contingent from the 1st Md looking to collect the bell. And it was singular that at that very time, Capt. and Mrs. Kurtz seemed to once again disappear. Giving our word of honor to them that there was not deceit in tended, they returned to their camp. In the morning it was learned that at the same time they were in our camp, Capt. Kurtz was in theirs, effecting the delivery of the bell. We will not be hearing the bell in these parts until we once again can win it back. And next time we will, by God.

Sunday morning, revielle in the form of guns and bugles once again started another campaign day in the army. Once up the role was called. morning report completed, and we noticed that the Lt. was not on his pallet. So we sent searchers for him and found him asleep to the rear in one of the wagons. So our morning drill was conducted to the baggage train, where we greeted him with a company volley. He was chipper about it, but offered no explanation of his behavior, yet nothing more was said. We returned from the drill mostly working by the left flank, and proceeded to make rations into breakfasts, got the morning guard mounts, and took advantage of the lull in duties to observe the Sabbath with a small but dedicated prayer meeting, with the reading of psalms and epistles.

As the day continued, we once again had our dress parade around 11 of the clock in the forenoon. The Major's orders for this day were to take Fisher's Hill at all costs, and he implored the veterans to make it happen, and to do our duty, with God's help. We all confirmed to him that we would do so. Again, the parade was used to affect a detailed inspection of arms, confirming that the task would require each and every one of us, due to no available reserves in the immediate area. The parade was dismissed, and we once again were returned to the company street to await the actions.

While there, the Capt. and the Lt. were blissfully reclined on the ground on officers row, and Cor. Hayes had a few comments intended only for the enlisted to hear, but alas, he was overheard by the officers. Capt. quietly ordered the Sgt. to find a dull and demeaning task for Cor. Hayes, and so it was that he was detailed to dig a new sink for the company. This he did with no complaint, but plenty of cajoling. Once made, the Capt. was presented with a copy of Harpers Illustrated and informed that the new sink was ready for his inspection.

Shortly after the meridian, the formation was called, and off we marched towards the dreaded hill. Lt. Boucher was highly excited about taking the hill, and eager to achieve it. This day, the tactic was to divide our force, and attack the center from the two flanks simultaneously with our attached artillery support. It seemed like a good plan. As we approached with our guns supporting, the Rebel skirmishers once again came off and down the hill. Since they could quickly deduce that we wee the same forces as yesterday without reenforcement, they soon retired. Our infantry advanced slowly and soon confronted their artillery. Our battalion was on the left of the line, and we were the prime targets of their guns. The Rebel howitzers chime into our flanks and front, and quickly began to take their toll on our lines. We advanced in two battalions one from each flank towards the fence, where the guns ripped double rank holes into our lines, creating heavy losses. Yet, today, we only closed up, and continued to advance with the extreme losses. We pushed rebels still off the split rails, wavered there to regain composure, and then gave them a bayonet charge from our left battalion. This was not successful, since the short delay in our advance from the fence also gave the Rebels time to recover. There were great losses on our wing. Yet, our charge was followed by the charge from the right flank battalion, and they were able to send the Rebels from the crest, a charge that carried the day. We all think that only if we had all charged at once, there would have been less loss of life.

The results of the fight are believed to rid Fisher's Hill of the Rebels for good, and that their use of the position as a last bastion is over. In a short while, the officers reformed the survivors into battalion, and had us march back to our camps, leaving a contingent to hold the hill as we moved up our forces. We were on the road, and some civilians were observing, so the officers had us pass in review. Once again we saw ladies waving their handkerchiefs, whether in jest, personal protection, or true patriotism, it is not known to us. And so we were returned to our camps, leaving pickets out on the hill won at such a high cost. In our camp, the civilians came to visit the heroes, and profess their alliegence to the government. I still suspect that these Virginians were only trying to save them selves from the scorching some of their seccesh neighbors have earned for themselves.

Our losses here are severe, yet, in our company, and of the boys that you know, it is only a few wounds that are not feared serious. The Potter boy is hurt, and ironically, Lt. Boucher was hit early on, and did not see us take the hill. They are both with us, and have not been sent to general hospital. We feel that is very good. We will help them recover, and write their families of their improvements. Please continue to write to me, and direct as always via Washington.

Your obedient servant,
Kim