Failed rescue attempt

Encampment of the A company, XXXI Pennsylvania Volonteers.

Dear Lis,

I write you this letter just after our last skirmish to let you know that, thanks God, I’m still alive. I say so because I’m beginning to believe that our Captain is a complete fool. Aftera our last terrible encounter with the rebs, where we had two prisoners, he decided it was time to go and rescue them. The problem was that the tennesseans were waiting us with heavy artillery and thanks to their pickets completely aware of us. Half of our company which was commanded by our Captain got entangled in the woods and arrived late to the fighting (quiet strange) the other half company, under my command, supported the heavy fusillade and artillery of the rebels for nearly an hour suffering heavy loses. The southeners were capable to scape with our prisoners and almost unharmed.

Thanks the almighty I’m completely safe and ready for another encounter. I pray for you and our daughters

Joseph O. Waterwell.

Skirmish at McMartin's crossroads

Dear Lis,

Last week we had our baptism of fire. It was not a happy affair for the arms of the liberty but tnaks God I'm alive and with no injuries.
Our company was ordered to reconnoitre a place called McMartin's crossroads.
We departed in three groups. The biggest one under the command of our captain took the central road as they were on parade. The secondone, under my guidance went on the right and finally, a small group under Sgt. Charles, on the left of the road.
It wnt so fast. It seemed as the rebs were expecting us. They appeared in two groups from our flanks and a severe fusillade started. We stayed sharplly untill a strange thing happened: Our captain's hat was hit and flew some yards back. Believe it or not, He abandoned the fight and fall back to take his hat! and what was even worse, at the last moment, a severe stomach pain atacked him making us to loose some precious time. Fortunatelly, the groups under my command wich had advanced to a hill, fell back in good order amd a crashing volley ordered by our sarge gave us time to fight another day.
Afterall, we oonly had two dead and two captured the others being only lightly wounded. I believe the rebs, altought they got the field, had more losses because I saw their padre working hard.
What is more strange was the behaviour of Captain Francis. Can he be a coward?
I'm sure next time we'll be more prepared. Those rebs are not an easy task!

Your beloved husband

Joseph Waterwell.

Fight for Freedom!

Encampment of the A company, XXXI Penn. Vols. February the 28th 1862

Dear Lis,

As you know, I received my commission as a lieutenant in the new regiment that is being raised in Central Pennsylvania, the XXXI Pennsylvania Volunteers. I have started my camp life and I can proudly say that I don’t miss the commodities that can be found in a city like our beloved Philadelphia. The joy to serve our country and to fight for the freedom of all the people on earth fills all my needs…Well, except not having you with me.

Every day new recruits are arriving to full fit our ranks and in few days we will be marching to the front. We have settled a small encampment for our company: A company XXXI Penn. Vols. There are people from all over the state. From Philadelphia lawyers like the captain to students from the Pennsylvania State University with the main lot being farmers from Bellefonte, Boalsburg, Scranton or Port Matilda.

I think that this war is not going so well for the Union. Maybe the government will use our regiment in a new offensive or perhaps in a raid in enemy territory. What is for sure is that they won’t use us in guard duty or frontier watch.

Hopefully, we are fighting in the side of the liberty and the truth so God is with us.

Every day I pray for you and our two daughters.

Your husband who deeply loves you

Joseph Waterwell.