Civil War Letter – Camp of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment near Leesburg, Virgini

Civil War Letter – Camp of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment near Leesburg, Virginia, June 21, 1863
This outstanding three-page letter was written from the camp of the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry on June 21, 1863, just days before the Battle of Gettysburg. The soldier provides a vivid, first-hand account of the intense cavalry fighting at Brandy Station and the subsequent marching and countermarching that characterized the opening movements of the Gettysburg Campaign.
In the letter, the writer describes the regiment’s encampment on a high hill one mile from Leesburg, within sight of the Potomac River and near the site of the Battle of Ball’s Bluff. He gives a dramatic eyewitness description of the cavalry charges at Beverly Ford and Brandy Station, expressing admiration for the horsemen and momentarily wishing he were in the cavalry. He notes how Union forces drove the Confederates eight miles, from Beverly Ford through Brandy Station nearly to Culpeper Court House, effectively disrupting General Lee’s plans.
 
The soldier also details the extreme physical demands placed on the infantry, including a 32-mile march in 24 hours and repeated 15- to 22-mile daily marches in scorching summer heat. He proudly mentions that their brigade earned the nickname “Wilson’s Foot Cavalry” from the regular cavalrymen for their rapid movements.
 
Written during one of the most critical periods of the Eastern Theater, this letter offers a rare soldier’s perspective on the prelude to Gettysburg, the Battle of Brandy Station (the largest cavalry battle of the war), and the exhausting marches that preceded the great clash in Pennsylvania.
 
The letter is written in clear, expressive handwriting across three pages and retains excellent legibility. It closes with personal matters, including mentions of family members and friends.
 
A historically significant letter from the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry — one of the most famous and well-respected regiments in the Army of the Potomac — written on the eve of the Gettysburg Campaign.
 
Transcript:
Camp of 2nd Mass. Regt. near Leesburg Va.
June 21 / 63
Dear E.
Once more there is a dim
sight to send you a letter, and I hasten
to improve it, even though the chance of your
getting it is small. We are encamped now in
Loudon County, on a high hill, one mile from
Leesburg, which is located between high hills
called the Kittgattan Mts., and four miles
in a straight line from the Potomac, which
we can catch a glimpse of between the hills
in the direction of Balls Bluff.
A year ago by the papers we have had no
skirmish since I last wrote, and witnessed
at the same time some of the best cavalry
charges as well as the hardest cavalry fights
of this or any other war. Oh! it was glorious!
and for the first time, I wished myself in
the cavalry. No pen can describe the fight
and altho Lee, according to the Reb papers,
 
[page 2]
claims a victory, we drove them five miles
from Beverly Ford through Brandy Station,
nearly to Culpeper Court House a distance
of eight miles, and then leisurely crossed
the river Rappahannock on the same ground over
where we stopped the night before, & pretty
good days work knocking Lees plans in the
head. And retarding his movement, for a few
days at least. They were awfully astonished
at old Joe knowledge of their movements
and our getting over the ground, so quick.
But it was hard on us you can tell as we
marched 32 miles in 24 hours.
and the rest with us was picked, the 2 and
3d of our Brigade, which the cavalry men now
call “Wilson’s foot cavalry.” And for 12 days
we carried the name Bradley marching from 15
to 22 miles a day in the hottest weather
of this summer, and joined the Corps at
Fairfax Court House, which had moved up
by the way of Luray, and made the
 
[page 3]
march from the Court House to this place
a distance of 31 miles in 2 days, so you
see, we have not been idle. And one thing
is sure we shall be as long as we can keep
our present reputation and there is work
enough to be done, for in the sure proportion of a
in the Bully regt. But I must close now and write
again the first chance. I got a letter from
Nole, and one from Alexander but none
from you. Give my love to the children
and all Mr. Potter.
Yours truly Foster