Federal Personal Accounts
Excerpt from: Beaudry, Paul Stephen. The Forgotten Regiment: History of the 151st New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Cleveland, OH: InChem Publishing, 1995) page 67. Originally cited in Helena Adelaide Howell, Chronicles of the One hundred and fifty first Regiment, New York 1911, page 50
Letter from Edwin Wage, 151st New York VI, describing the scene after the battle
"There was a moon, but it was obscured part of the time. We went onto the field between the picket lines, (who were frequently firing) in single file without arms, and made as little noise as possible so as not to draw the fire of the other side. When a wounded soldier was found two or three men would assist him to the rear. I can never forget the experience of that night. Dead men lying in all positions, in some places two or three close together. One soldier was laying on his back still grasping his Enfield rifle in his right hand, the left extended holding the rod as he was in the act of loading…I received a bad scare that night, and for a time I thought I was sure to be taken prisoner. I had gone beyond the Rebel picket and was in side their lines. With great caution I gradually worked my way back, guided by the picket firing. I never knew how long I was getting back, and shall never forget the sensations I felt at that time, and how glad I was when I reached our lines."
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