Originally published in the Perrysburg Journal, July 6, 1864, p. 3
Annapolis Junction, Md.
June 28, 1864.
Monotony reigns profound in the neck of the woods, wherein Company F has its abiding place. During the past week, scarcely an incident worth noting has occurred in camp..
The health of the company continues good. Siegmond Schaller went to the hospital last Saturday, sick with intermittent fever, but he is now improving. Caleb Miller remains in the hospital at Relay Barracks; and I learn that Corporal Garner-who remained at relay House when we came here- is now in hospital there with fever..
Persons from Relay House state that the companies of Captains Kitchen and Hathaway, at Fort Dix, are enjoying very good health. They have a few cases of sickness but I have heard of none which are regarded as dangerous..
On Friday last, Samuel Holder of Captain McKee's company passed here on his way home. He had been granted a furlough on account of a lame foot which disabled him from service. At that time, Austin Bassett of the same company was very sick and his recovery was considered extremely doubtful. Of his present condition I am uninformed..
A few days since I had the pleasure of meeting Captain Black here and at that time he stated that not a man of his company was sick..
Yesterday we received a brief visit from Lieutenant Colonel Miller, who, it will be remembered, remained at Fort McHenry as Provost Marshal of the Post, when the 144th left there. He still occupies the position, and looks hale, hearty, and jovial as usual. By the way, I have heretofore failed to notice that some weeks since Colonel Miller asked to be relieved of the duties of Provost Marshal of the Fort, that he might join his regiment. Instead, however, of his request being granted, his letter was returned to him having an endorsement by Brigadier General Morris, commanding the post, to the effect that the General commanding respectfully declined to relieve him as his administration had given great satisfaction, and the General then knew of no officer there as well qualified to discharge the duties of the Provost Marshal's office. Colonel Miller, however, hopes soon to be able to join some portion of the regiment-which as I have before informed you is considerably scattered..
A long train of wounded men passed here yesterday and about 30 members of this company were sent to the station, to pass water to the gallant fellows, during the few minutes which they stopped. The train consisted primarily of boxcars and most of the men having received what are in war parlance slight wounds were able to walk, and in measure help themselves. Yet in passing along the train, one could not fail to see painful sights. Many wanted cold water poured upon their wounds and this was done when they requested it. For this purpose, one man uncovered a stump of an arm only five or six inches of which remained; another, an arm off at his elbow; here, you pour water on an arm through which a rebel bullet has passed then on an arm without a hand, or on a hand minus a finger or a thumb or perhaps both. Yet the poor fellows were patient and cheerful, and one would not help admiring the heroic manner in which they bore their sufferings..
A portion of these men were from Petersburg and others from various battlefields of General Grant's campaign. They are being taken to hospitals in Baltimore and vicinity..
---H.S.C.
