March 5, 1865

Capt. Adam Bocken

I felt it was my duty to make this report from Natural Bridge.

On Friday, we settled in with the Leon Rifles and secured a comfortable spot at the back of the camp. However, an outbreak of ticks spread through the camp, though, strangely, Pvt. Jeremy Kuchta remained completely unaffected by the infestation.

Saturday morning greeted us with a sharp chill, but as the day wore on, the sun brought much-needed warmth. A young soldier, Pvt. Chase from Georgia, joined our ranks for the weekend. Life in camp was lively—Pvt. Kuchta, Pvt. Wallbeolf-Thorp, Pvt. Chase, and I passed the time exchanging jokes and enjoying the camaraderie. That morning, we marched with the Leon Rifles for Colors, standing in solemn formation before the monument.

In the afternoon, we assembled with the Leon Rifles once more and marched to battle. Positioned behind sturdy defensive works, we held firm as artillery fire and waves of Yankee soldiers attempted to break our line. Yet, despite their relentless assaults, our defenses remained unshaken, and we drove them back into the woods.

Later that afternoon, we made our way to the medical camp, as Pvt. Chase had sustained a wound. However, Union soldiers were ordered to guard us, and during the commotion, Jack made a desperate attempt to escape. He was caught, and though he fought with everything he had, he was ultimately stabbed with a bayonet and succumbed to his injuries. His death weighed heavily on me, for I had given my word to his mother and sister that I would see him home safely. Yet, by some divine intervention, Jack was miraculously revived, and that very evening, he was dancing at the ball alongside our newfound friend, Pvt. Chase.

Sunday morning dawned just as cold as the day before, but the spirit in camp remained high. Laughter filled the air as men continued to pull off the last of the ticks, while Pvt. Kuchta, mysteriously immune, remained untouched by the infestation. Pvt. Jack, however, was forced to remain in camp, having fallen ill with an unknown sickness.

That afternoon, we returned to the same battlefield as the day prior, once again repelling wave after wave of Yankee invaders. Artillery fire rained down upon us, but our defenses held fast, shielding us from the brunt of the bombardment. Victory was secured for our Confederacy on both days.

However, in the final hours of battle, Pvt. Chase, Pvt. Kuchta, and I were ordered to advance beyond the defensive works to skirmish with the enemy. During the engagement, Pvt. Kuchta was struck in the leg, and we had to drag him back to safety.

Before leaving the battlefield, we gave one final salute and escorted Pvt. Kuchta to the nearby Union medical camp. There, the doctors had no choice but to amputate his leg. To make matters worse, Pvt. Chase was killed in a skirmish with Union soldiers. The weight of it all bore down on me, and in my despair, I turned to a bottle of whiskey to dull the pain. I was later told that after finishing two bottles, I passed out.

With daylight still on our side, we packed up camp and assisted the Union medical staff in breaking down their station. Once everything was loaded onto the wagon, and set off from Natural Bridge.

Cpl. Daniel McNally