Letter from A. Wilken to his father about Bull Run – July 23, 2011
Letter from Alexander Wilken to his father. It tells his tale of Bull Run, including walking 60 miles in 26 hours. Wilken was involved with the confusion with the Mississippi Regiment, took a prisoner, and only fired 3 times because he was busy giving orders.
“The night before the action I could not sleep as I had no blanket and the weather was very cold. We started at 2 ½ in the morning, marched 15 miles to the battle field, (I having a severe cramp in the stomach and a sprained knee), fought for several hours and then walked back here 40 miles by the next morning and I am now as good as ever. I walked at l east 60 miles in 26 hours. The day was disastrous but as for myself personally and in fact the Regiment is concerned have nothing to regret.”
See a full transcript 1861-07-23_transcript
See full letter 1861-07-23_full_text
Citation: July 23, 1861 Letter from Alexander Wilken to father, Correspondence and Related Papers, Jan- July 1861. Alexander Wilkin and Family Papers, 1770-1965. Minnesota Historical Society.
July 26th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
With your permission, I’d like to post this letter to the resources section of my website, Bull Runnings. Let me know via this comment feature or email.
Lori Williamson reply on July 27th, 2011:
Hi Harry! We’d be delighted to have it featured on your very nice website. Please just be sure to credit the Minnesota Historical Society and add a link back to this blog.
http://www.mnhs.org/civilwardaybook
Thanks much! Glad you liked it.
Lori Williamson
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:07 am
[...] Alexander Wilken of 1st MN to His Father After the Battle – Private Correspondence [...]
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:09 am
Thanks! Will do.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:45 am
[...] Transcription and letter image at Minnesota Historical Society [...]