Bivouac Between Fort Magruder and Williamsburg, May 7th, 1862.  

Dear Sir - I promised a supplement this is somewhat desirable, as I could not say all I wished to state in my last. You will get the general accounts from the New York dailies; but the more minute incidents, which frequently are the most interesting, seldom obtain public notice. Of course, I must limit myself to what occurred in our brigade in general, and particularly to our own regiment. Our troops had been engaged long before our brigade was ordered forward. We, like the old Guard at Waterloo, were held in reserve.

Precisely at 3:40 P. M. our regiment commenced firing, and continued hard at work till dark. Since I wrote, many interesting little items have come to my knowledge. I said in my last, that the "light infantry tactics," &c. I should have said "and Zouave." This was the case. Had it not been that our men took this course, the storm of grape and canister they were exposed to would have almost annihilated them. As it was, their close attention and adherence to the training they had had, saved scores of lives.

At times, it was amusing to see them make a telling shot at the enemy, and before a reply could be made they were flat on the ground and in many cases in the water or mud. Charles Travis had just discharged his rifle when a shot from the enemy took off the top of the small stump behind which he was reloading. Almost immediately a shot passed between his head and that of his Captain. The Captain cried, "Charley, has this cut our connection?" "Yes," replied Belotte, "and very nearly my nose also." At this juncture a round shot whizzed by the captain, who instinctively dodged. "Captain," cried Charley, "you bow politely." "Yes sir," he replied, "politeness is an essential quality in a gentleman." Thus some were joking and fighting at the same moment. The advantage of the winter's drilling was now plainly seen and felt. The men were as steady and obeyed the word to "fire" by files, platoons, divisions, or battalions, as coolly as if on parade.

Since the battle, we have conversed with some of the wounded and prisoners, of both of which we have quite a number. Some of them state that they were sure of getting the red caps, (55th Regiment) and were advancing for that purpose when the Anderson sharpshooters (a new name for us,) poured such a terrific fire into them that it almost annihilated them. Capt. Lee, of the 5th N. C. Volunteers, told me their regiment was terribly cut up, and almost every officer killed or wounded. He brought out but five of his company unhurt. He is wounded in the leg, and is now our prisoner.

I will not be egotistical, but justice to our regiment demands the truth. Gen. McClellan presented his personal thanks to Gen. Peck for the excellent service rendered by his brigade, which was greatly instrumental in closing the day successfully. Gen. Peck replied, "he was proud to have such a compliment from his Commander-in-Chief for his brigade in general. It had done well, but I feel bound to mention the Anderson Zouaves (62d N. Y. Volunteers,) in particular, as worthy of praise." This morning, when at Gen. Peck's tent on business, he referred to the subject, by saying "Chaplain, I am proud of your men; they have done well, and now I know I can rely on them." Other officers of high standing have said, in substance, the same to me.

We have a great many of the enemy's wounded on our hands. This morning I visited two hospitals, in one of which three poor fellows who had each lost a foot or leg, lay side by side. By giving them, and some thirty others, warm coffee and words of comfort, we tried to cheer them up. One thing I must say of the men of the rebel army who are wounded and now prisoners: Phrenologically they are, in general, men of superior mental qualities. How far they have cultivated them is another thing. Naturally they are smart men, and no despicable enemies.

What a change, in one day! Monday, wet and dreary, two armies engaged in mortal strife, and darkness set in on the combatants with no very certain knowledge of results, though we had good grounds for hope. Tuesday morning was as clear and bright as "the sun of Austerlitz." The enemy gone, carrying away his dead and wounded as far as possible, we quietly marched into and beyond his position, and as the day closed a bright moon and a peerless sky shed their soft light upon the landscape which was illuminated below with the light of a thousand watch fires. I strolled to a gentle rise in the space the troops occupied, and surveyed the scene. It was truly sublime.

Gen. Couch had ordered out the band; they had played several airs already, but at this juncture they struck up "Hail Columbia," next "The Star Spangled Banner," and then "Yankee Doodle." The boys could hold in no longer. As the band now played "fast and furious," like "Tam O'Shanter's piper" at auld Alloway kirk, cheers, screams, yells of delight, rang from regiment to regiment. Methinks I see you standing at my elbow "laughing with tears in your eyes." I know it would have been so here, and possibly will be so now. The country here is far superior to most of the Peninsula through which we have passed, and I am pleased to see houses intact, and other evidences that something like common sense prevails.

Since I commenced writing they tell me some 250 prisoners have been brought in. In short, it seems to me that the leaders of this rebellion must see that their cause is hopeless. Many of the men now, in the army are those lately impressed, utterly unacquainted with military tactics or discipline; and who feel it to be cruel to be forced into a conflict they are unprepared for and would rather not engage in. We are quite at a loss just now for the Northern newspapers, but we shall get them again regularly in a day or two.

We have parties out searching the woods for dead and wounded, burying the former and bringing in the latter. Those now under treatment are grateful for the kindness shown them. They are treated the same as our own men, and write thus to their families and friends. I have not learned what the casualties amounted to on either side in the late conflict at this point. In our regiment the killed and wounded are about forty & a very light percentage considering; as Gen. Peck remarked, "they were in the worst position, at the worst time, and fought bravely to the end."

My young man has been to Williamsburg, and just returned. He says there are only two stores open. The only articles on sale were tobacco and flour. He saw plenty of niggers and four white women. I shall visit it myself soon, if we shall remain here a few days. More cavalry passed through here to-day. I presume they are to pursue the enemy, or to join some other division. The battery fired a salute of fifteen guns to-day. Our guns are in position, and strong pickets are thrown out to prevent surprise.  

May 9, 5 A.M.. 

Dear Sir: "On to Richmond" has a meaning now. We march in an hour. I steal a moment to apprize you, and through you, my family, of the fact. Thank God we have a clear day, we will be warm doubtless, but we shall travel in comfort compared with our last advance. I hear our present destination is West Point, some thirty miles ahead. Yesterday we had an interesting time. A State flag (a beauty) was presented to the regiment. 

Utica Morning Herald and Daily Gazette 20 May 1862 

 Anderson Zouave. Vol. 1, No. 3. June 2006