Thursday, June 27, 1861.
Isaac N. Heck,
Irish
Infantry,
Co. F, 13th
Pa.
Res.,
to
Shirleysburg Herald.
Bedford, Pennsylvania –
“Dear Herald:- It
is some time since I undertook to pen you a few lines, and there have been a
great many changes. Suffice it to say that I am in the
Bedford
Hospital
trying to make the best of it. I belong to Col. Biddle’s First Regiment (better
known as the Bucktail Regiment).
“On
last Friday evening, while in Camp
Curtin,
we received marching orders; so that night it was all bustle and confusion. On
Saturday morning we took the cars, not knowing which way the train was to move
as the engine was not attached. At length the train moved forward toward the western
hills of the old Keystone. After a pleasant ride of a few hours we arrived at
Mount
Union,
the place where I had embarked. It was not long till we came to Huntingdon, and
there the young ladies, God bless their swate sowles! (for I belong to the Irish Infantry) presented us with plenty
of food, which we greatly needed and for which they, as well as the other
citizens who engaged in furnishing it, will please accept our warmest thanks.
We were also kindly treated at the other stations where we stopped.
“After
having encamped at Hopewell, on the ground without tents, on Sunday evening we
arrived at our destination about half a mile from the Bedford Springs, where we
remained until yesterday morning when I several others were sent to the
hospital in town, not being able to move onward. All the rest of the force except Capt. Campbell’s battery have gone on toward
Cumberland.
Most of the men in the hospital are, with myself, fast
recovering. I have to remain here till the sick are removed and assist the steward
in caring for them. Some of the Scott
Infantry are here. You cannot imagine how
disappointed we were when the surgeon told us to stay in town. We would rather
have gone to the guard house at once. But here we are. Our hospital is in the
Court House.
“The Globe was mistaken when it stated
that Col. Simmons commanded the First Regiment. Col. Biddle commands the First,
and Col. Simmons the Second.
“I
hope we may have an opportunity to face the Rebels yet. But I must close. Yours
truly,
“Isaac
N. Heck.”
[ShH: 7-2-1861].
