Vernon Trumbull, Co, Ohio
Jan 1st/66

Sketch of my Army Life.
On the 24th of February 1864 I enlisted
from this place into Co. D, 6th O.V.C.
1st Brigade 2nd Division of Sheridan’s Cavilry
Corps Imediately joined my Regt. at Warrenton
Virginia, at this place I remained two
months on picket duty The grand army
of the Potomic at this time started out
on the summer campaign Soon after
this we faught the great battles of
the wilderness. My regment was the
first to cross the Rapidan which it
accomplished on the fourth of May. I
was in the contest of Wilderness four
days when we started out on the Richmond
raid. History gives some of the outlines
of this raid as well as of the preceedings
but yet each soldier that participated
has a different story to tell a story of
the thousands of instidents of falling
comrads, of fierce hand to hand contest of
bluecoats gray coat mingling, in each other’s
gore. aye it was in these stern, rentless clashing
of our sabers that our cause made its most

potent arguments in favor of freedom of republicanism. But these individual incidents constitute a great part of the unwritten history of the rebellion. During the whole rain we were met with opposition by the enemy. Every day witnessed a fight with the Rebels, arrived at the James river on the 12th of May from [ ] the star of war, led his to Whitebuse landing. On the 28th were engaged in the Inon Church battle. Here I received a slight wound in my right leg, after having in several but skirmishes we started on the Gordonsville raid and struck the railroad on the eleventh. The enemy fourth with linveity to hold it but glorious old Phil, Sherdon, knew no deafeat and we were up the road ten miles then we went to West Point and shipped the prisoners down the river, thence to the Whitehouse where we had an engagement. We then guarded the wagon train to the James River. The whole distance of the way was holly contested. Ah Dead farm I had at my hour shot – from under me. We crossed the river below City Point and wer sent in search of Wilson

the for the first time since we started on the campaign we now camped a few days. We proceeded from here to Malvern hill faught few days. Thence to Peatersburgh, ah the blowing up of the mine then on by Lee as Mills where a battle was fought. In a few days, we had another fight at Malvering Hill. The next engagement was the charge to gain the Weldon road in which our Cavelry was handled with effect. The road was gained; after several days of skirmishing and reconicence. We made a dash on the Danville railroad. On the third day fought I was wounded in the right arm which caused amputation above the elbow, was taken to City Point and after eight days to Washington. Went into the hospital of judiciary square I remained in this hospital almost seven months as part of the time being Ward Master. Then went to New York and was discharged at the Central Park hospital on the 1st of July. Of all of the sufferings and deprivations of hospital life it is unnecessary to speak. In so limited a space I cannot tell of the many skirmishes that I was engaged in

William Johnson Vernon Trumbull Co Ohio

PS Eight months ago I could not write my own name

Central Park Hospital
June 27th 1865
Dear Friend
As I wish to be Rememberd [sic] as
one of your many Friends I
Leave my name in your Book
I Enlisted Febuary [sic] 24th 1863
in Company D, 6th Ohio Cav.
was in 16 Engagements + had 2
Horses shot from under me and
was wounded 2 the last time in the
right arm witch caused amputation
above the elbow. Chaplain I shall
always remember your kind and smileing [sic]
face hopeing [sic] that God may bless
you and when we part for the last
time on Earth I will hope to meat [sic]
you in that better land I Remane [sic]
your True Friend William Johnson
Vernon Trumbull Co
Ohio
This written with my left arm