21st Ohio Volunteers

Ocean Pond, Fl
February 15 '64

Dearest Mother,

Perhaps you have heard the news of the battle by now.  Our company, now under the command of the gallant Captain Giddens arrived in camp on Friday evening under a steady and cold rain.  We made the best shelters we could despite the mud and the rain.  The men were determined to get the best sleep they could in the weather conditions knowing that the next day could be the last for many.

Saturday morning dawned damp and cold.  Orders were received from battalion headquarters for Captain Giddens to lead his company out of camp in order to follow up on reports of Confederates near by.  The heavy rains of the proceeding day had turned many of the roads into a muddy mess making our march quite difficult.  We maintained a steady pace as best we could all while keeping our eyes open for signs of the enemy.  Less than two hours out of camp the first shots rang out indicating that the Confederates were there and had been expecting us.  Captain Giddens occupied enemy, believed to be a handful of militia, with two sections of our company.  He ordered Sergeant McGarrahan to lead a the fourth section around the enemy's left and Sergeant Haugh to take the first section to envelope the enemy's right.  The aggressive strategy worked and three Confederates from the 32nd Georgia were in our possession.  After placing them under guard, we began the trek back to camp when further gunshots revealed that our work was not yet done.  It turned out that we had marched ourselves into the middle of a skirmish between some Confederate cavalry and some Federal cavalry.  Upon seeing our company deploy for battle, the Confederates wisely decided to not tangle with us New Yorkers.  Obviously our reputation as hard fighters had preceeded us.  We returned to camp and presented our prisoners to battalion headquarters, much to the pleasure of the colonel.

The drummers beat the long roll once again in early afternoon, signaling the opening of the battle.  Th turned out to be a bloody affair for the boys in blue and gray.  The armies threw lead at each other with neither side gaining the advantage.  Casaulties continued to mount as the fighting raged.  I did receive a scratch on my cheek from a spent ball, but did not suffer any significant wounds.  The day ended with both sides knowing that another day was needed to settle the affair.

After a frigid night in the woods near Ocean Pond, Sunday dawned bright and cloudless.  Our pickets reported the approach of the enemy in early afternoon and w fell in for battle one more time.  We marched initially with the objective of hitting the enemy hard but some confusing commands quickly turned the day into a disaster for us in blue.  While we were able to fall back, reform, and hit the enemy again, it was hard to look across the field and see so many brave boys laying on the field dead or moaning from the agony of their wounds.  Yes, the field was in the hands of the Confederates, but they paid a high price for their victory.

You remember Lieutenant Kirkland from town?  Well, despite our initial frustrations with him in the 48th because he earned his commission through his daddy rather than earning it in the field, he displayed such skills in handling the men today that he will likely get his own company soon.  Coporal Quinlin and Privates Uhlir and Wood also fought bravely this day.  Please let Musician Morrissey's parents know that he is well.  His drumming is a great addition to camp and he bravely led the entire battalion to battle.

I will close for now as my candle is nearly gone this night.  Rest assured, dear mother, that I am well.  I will write again soon.  Your son,

Josh