From his artillery battery’s encampment just north of Washington, DC, Lieutenant Martin J. Byrne wrote another letter home to be published in his hometown newspaper, the Carbondale Advance.

By now, the young officer had been in and around the nation’s capital for several weeks and his unit of the 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery had been dispatched to an important bridge crossing the Potomac River. The Chain Bridge spanned the Potomac north of Washington and below Great Falls, making it a vital connection to the Virginia shore that needed to be protected and was heavily guarded.

In the letter, Byrne describes the scenes around him as more and more newly assembled units arrived to reinforce the United States Army guarding the nation’s capital. He also described a review of his division by General George McClellan, President Abraham Lincoln, and members of Lincoln’s cabinet that took place on August 21, 1861.

From the Carbondale Advance, August 31, 1861

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CAMP NEAR THE CHAIN BRIDGE 

Washington, Aug 22, 1861, 

Your kind and welcome letter came duly to hand; since that time to have again changed our situation, and are now encamped on the banks of the Potomac, at the Chain Bridge. 

There are a number of Batteries here erected; and one of several guns commands the entire length of the bridge, and another larger and heavier battery sweeps the opposite shore. The fortifications, with their parapets, magazines and conical heaps of balls look, indeed, interesting. 

We left Washington on the 17th inst., and before our departure were fitted out with all the necessary equipments, round shot, spherical and case, canister, etc.; also with horses.

I have selected a spirited, fine looking, black horse, and exercise a great deal in riding. We are supplied with Colt’s revolvers, and I have still the sabre presented me by the Col. while in Harrisburg, so that I am pretty well armed. 

The secession forces are about five miles distant from this place. Our pickets and scouts are daily on the opposite shore, and report all progress and movements made by them.

An important and useful member of our corps is a former secessionist, who belonged to the cavalry captured when the Union troops first occupied Alexandria. 

Our Battery is now under command of Brig. Gen. Smith, of Vermont. The infantry under his command is principally from Vermont and New York, and numbers about five thousand. There is also a large force of cavalry near. 

I have taken several excursions amongst our troops, and every day can discover vast bodies of our soldiers encamped in all directions, in the woods, ravines, and all out-of-the-way places. 

We are all eager for a battle with the enemy. 

Yesterday, the 21st, we had a grand review of the entire Division, by Gen. McClellan and President Lincoln, with his Cabinet.

Major-Gen McClellan’ appearance is healthy and active; he is apparently about 35 years old. President Lincoln has still that lofty, though care worn appearance. The members of the Cabinet – looked officially, and had that peculiar appearance one can see in politicians. 

I often think of home and all the folks etc. 

Please make my kind respects to all friends. And believe me to be ever yours, 

M.J. BYRNE. 1st. Lieut., Co. C., 

1st Pa. R.C. Artillery.

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Read the previous letter from the Letters from War: 1861 series.

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This is part of an ongoing series called “Letters from War: 1861” that will share correspondence written on the front lines during the turbulent first year of the Civil War.

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