DAN LUKE
January 22nd, 1862
Army of the Potomac
Dan W. Luke to Mary Pringle
Dear Sister Mary,
I have answered the President’s call for volunteers
to help crush the rebellion. He says this will be a
short but decisive war. Let us swear by the great
eternal that our cause is just. Mary, we are now
encamped on the banks of the Potomac. It is quite a
sight! Hundreds of neatly arranged white tents on the
shores of this beautiful stream. We are nearly 200,000
men. Your letter finds me in good health only my feet
is a little cold. The drums are beating for roll call,
so I must go. Remember me to Philip and all the
friends and write soon.
I am yours as ever. Dan W. Luke. Write soon.
DAN
July 5th, 1862
Camp at Harrisons Landing, Virginia
15 miles from Richmond
Mary, Dear Sister,
The battles have begun. For seven long days and
nights we have been fighting the Rebels. All the time
without sleep. And nothing to eat but crackers and
such. We whipped the enemy and drove them off the
field at the point of the bayonets. But oh! what a
sight it was. All over the field lay the dead and
dying - smothering in their own blood, crying for
water. They lay 4 or 5 deep where our grape and shell
cut them down like grass. The scene is too terrible to
talk about.
After the fight, General McClellan rode along our
lines - he was just as muddy as some old grave digger.
Every man that could speak yelled out at the top of
his voice. Napoleon was never received with more
enthusiasm.
DAN
Vienna, Virginia
May 18th, 1863
You have probably heard by now about our terrible
loss at Chancellorsville. Calling up men for only nine
months was the greatest mistake our government ever
made. Now General Hooker’s army is almost all broken
up. Hooker would have had the grandest victory but for
the cowardice of the 11th army corps. At the first
appearance of the enemy they throwed down their arms
and ran away - disgracing our entire army. They was
mostly German and wouldn’t fight under nobody but
Sigel. They deserve nothing but shame and dishonor.
Phil, I am very glad your patriotism remains high.
But you must stay and take care of your wife and
little Luella and the baby. We must conquer and we
will.
