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Letters, Diaries, and Memoirs
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Robert Cruikshank, letter
June 30, 1863
“The people were out at their doors passing to the men as they ran by such provision as they had in their houses, with water. Ladies waved their handkerchiefs and cheered us on. Some were in tears and some in smiles. At the hotel a number had gathered and were singing patriotic songs. If I ever felt I wanted to fight the enemy it was here where those ladies were calling us to drive the Rebels back into Virginia where they belonged. Then, too, I remembered the patriotism of that state,- the thousands it had fed while going to the front and the care it had given to the sick and wounded returning to their homes. This all passed through my mind and I felt I wanted to meet them in this free, hospitable, patriotic state.”
Robert Cruikshank, letter
July 6, 1863
“We passed through Littlestown…The town looked deserted as we passed through. Doors were locked and blinds closed and when any of the men were admitted into a kitchen and bought a loaf of bread he was charged fifty cents for it and the same for a bowl of milk. We could hardly believe that these were the same people who sang and cheered us on when the enemy were near and they wanted protection. It looked as though they wanted to make up for what they had given away when we had passed through before.”
Robert Cruikshank, letter
July 9, 1863
“We are now west of South Mountain and about seven miles south of Boonsboro. If I only had time to look over the country and could march as I choose, I would enjoy the scenery for it is very beautiful. I have never seen such fine fields of corn and wheat as there are here. The people do not work as hard as we do North.”
Robert Cruikshank, letter
July 9, 1863
“I have but one shirt with me, a calico one. Every night I have gone to a stream, taken it off, washed it, wrung the water out of it and put it on again, letting it dry on me.”
Angela Kirkham Davis, memoir
1861-1862
“In Funkstown, where we were living, the secession feeling was very strong and at times bitter…most of the citizens being Rebels…When the news of the surrender of Fort Sumter was received, there was great rejoicing among them and in order to celebrate the event an old cannon was seized, dragged out of town and fired six or seven times. They intended to give fifteen salutes, but stopping to come to town to take a drink. The Union boys seized the opportunity and spiked the cannon. Upon the return of the Rebels, it took them so long to remove the obstruction that they were obliged to be satisfied with a few shots.”