Letter: William H. S. Burgwyn to Harry [Henry King Burgwyn, Jr.] September 23, 1862

              Thirty Fifth Regiment N.C.T
Camp near Martinsville Va. September 23, 1862
Dear Harry
I suppose [illegible] this you have heard of the capture or Harpers Ferry with 14,000 Yankees and a great battle near Sharpsburg on the 17th just. I was pursuant at both but it Harpers Ferry there was no fighting what the artillery did.
On the 16th we waited the Potomac and bivouacked about a mile and a half on the other side opposite Shepherdstown. Next day about 3 AM we were moved to our position in line of battle but had it changed constantly about 9 AM we were ordered into the thickest of it and where our troops had been repulsed. The brigade was formed in line of battle and marched splendidly through the severe shower of grape and canister and shall but not a man wayward till we came to offense right in front of us. Which we had to climb and consequently threw us into more or less confusion and just then the shells and things came thick and fast and at this very time my second lieutenant was shocked and it threw us right more confusion. I jumped in front of the Regiment and tried all I could to form the Regiment Col. Ransom and myself and I think rallied them very quickly and their general are deemed the command