Poughkeepsie Eagle Sep. 23, 1862
[We learn that Acting Adjutant Bogardus was severely wounded in the mouth. He arrived here last evening by the Mary Powell. We hope his wound is not serious.]
Kadysville, Md., Sept. 19, 1862
Dear Eagle:
After a lapse of many weeks I have found an opportunity to write a few lines. The smoke of the battle of Wednesday has not yet cleared away, still we can see enough to know that little Mac has gained another victory. I had, together with my Regiment, the honor to participate in the fray. Tuesday night we arrived on the left, but at ten P.M. were ordered to march to the right. All night the pickets and skirmishers were firing upon each other - but the ball did not open till daylight. Then the artillery commenced playing, and in a few moments the roar of cannon and the rattle of musketry, combined with the groans and shrieks of the wounded and dying, made a scene that cannot be put on paper.
About 7 A.M. our brigade was ordered forward as the first reserve. The boys went willingly, although they had had nothing to eat since the night before. In a little while we were ordered to advance and enter into action. At a double quick, we marched to the conflict. We were on the right under Hooker - "Fighting Joe," as he is called. We were ordered to take the cornfield, and support the 124th Pennsylvania Volunteers, a new regiment, which we did till about noon. That cornfield was a horrible sight. A live rebel soldier is a disgusting sight, but a dead one surpasses description. And that field was full of them, lying in all positions. Here, one shot through the heart; there, one with his leg torn off; and still farther on, a trunk without a head.
At noon we were sent to a piece of woods on the advance of the right - and here we remained till about 2 P.M., at which time I was wounded and carried to the rear. I was hit by a musket ball coming from a party of rebels carrying our flag. This was the second time I saw the same treachery during the battle. What the world thinks of a foe that in the disguise of a friend shoots you down, I know not; but it seems to be their style of fighting. Our forces have captured a great number of rebel battle flags, while I think we lost none. Our loss in wounded is almost innumerable, but in killed small in proportion. The rebel loss in killed far exceeds our ours, but in wounded I think not. This is accounted for by the rebels using the old buck and ball, while our boys use Minie balls altogether, and they kill when they hit. I was shot off my horse, and lost him. But we whipped them - and I would give another horse for such a victory.
Yours & c.,
S.H.B., Jr.