Camp 47^th Reg't N.Y.S.Vols

Jacksonville, Fla.,

March 9^th, 1864

 

Dear Captain:

                        You will excuse my not having written you before, but since the day of our trouble at "Olustee" I have been so busy in looking after company affairs that I have really not had time to do more than write a hasty letter to the Mercury. Our list of killed and wounded is correctly reported in the Times of the 1^st inst—only I know that many of the fourteen poor lads I left behind on that bloody field never saw the next day's sun. There was but one scoundrel flinched in the company (Kelly), and that he is now alive is owing simply to my not having a pistol. As it was, I cut at him with a heavy artillery sword, and, missing his head, drove the blade through four thicknesses of a blanket he had slung over his shoulder. He is now under arrest here.

 

            You would have been pleased with the action of Co. "G" had you been present on the 20^th. One after another the brave boys came reporting to me before going to the rear, at the same time showing their wounds. Shearer refused to go back when first struck, and did not leave until we were marching off the field. Brown is a perfect "tiger" in fight. He loaded and fired cooly and deliberately—often remarking, "I'll bet I hit some S__ of a B__ that time!" McMahon, too, was as unconcerned as if on dress parade. It has made me feel warmer toward the whole company, feel that I am somehow closer connected with them than ever before. / I sent some money to those who were in Hospital at Beaufort, as I thought they might want tobacco or other little delicacies of some kind. Co. "G" is something to be proud of now.

 

            I send you transfer papers of all your property, which you must return to me immediately, or there will be a grand row here. I find that you account for only forty-one knapsacks, forty haversacks, and thirty-nine canteens. Now, if you obeyed Gen. Seymour's order (that every man should be fully equipped), you have been making a false return, for you would have ninety-seven of each of those articles. If you had only the number on your return, you were guilty of disobedience of orders. I want to drop thirty-four setts of equipments, and I cannot do it and take your return as it stands. You well know that Col. Barton is no friend to Col. Moore. The ruling powers in the regiment now speak very bitterly of the Col. for detailing you on recruiting service; and between them, Col. Barton, and Maj. Eddy, at Gen. Seymour's head-quarters, they want nothing better than to get some hold on you, whereby they can order you back in arrest. This return would be just the thing; for they want me to apply for a Board of Survey, in order that the facts may be brought out. I have talked with Masset, and while he thinks that you have been very negligent to have omitted taking up on your returns the knapsacks. &c., of the substitutes, and that you would have much trouble in the event of its being known, we have fixed upon a plan that will settle all your accounts at once. You transfer to me all your company property under date of the / 4^th of February, and make your return accordingly. I then take up property enough to equip all the men, and make my return—dropping, as lost in action, every thing not now on hand. This will bring you out "all right", and I will get rid of all the old rubbish that has been lying about. The papers I send include everything on your last return, so that you can make out a return as "on hand" so much, "transferred to Lieut. Smith" so much, "Balance on hand", nix—and then, good bye and good day, Mr Quarter-master General. Am I not thus acting as a dutiful 1^st Lieutenant towards a Captain whom he honors and respects, and towards whom he has a very large debt of gratitude to pay for past favors and kindnesses?

 

            If you will write to Washington for blank "ordnance returns", I will have them made out correctly here, and forwarded to you. I shall clear off everything not actually on hand, and leave a margin for future contingencies. We are to be armed with the "Springfield rifle", having had an inspection to that end a few days ago.

 

            All the news here will be told you by Sergeant Shearer. I made "Adams" and "Smith" corporals on the 8^th—both were wounded on the 20^th. Adams is in Hospital, and Smith dead on the field. Sergeant Johnson (formerly Corporal) makes a good, trusty non-commissioned officer, and Orderly Sergeant Maple gives great satisfaction. Orders were issued to drop all the "missing in action", consequently I now return only 83 men in the company! It seems a strange thing, this order, but we had to obey it. Where do those men belong now, as they / are not on the rolls of the 47^th? Suppose it possible that Sergeant McMahon should return—who would be Orderly? These would be fit questions for a debating Society composed of the fancy field officers now trotting about here, but who were, (on the 20^th ult.) "missing in action".—

 

            You will not fail to give my kindest regards to Col. Moore. I felt great satisfaction, when I heard that he was going North. It still gives me much pleasure to think that he is among those who know and can appreciate his many qualities of head and heart that endear him to some of us here. (I forgot myself somewhat in that last sentence when I said here, for there are very few here [in the officer's quarters] that do not seek some occasion to sneer, although that battle-field of "Olustee" has stopped many a foul mouth.) It would please me considerably to know that the Colonel was "all well" again, and enjoying himself heartily. He forwarded my name as one of the party to go home with the Veterans, but I am satisfied that the crowd here will "euchre" me out of it. Butts and Huggins have everything their own way (or as Eddy, Sawyer, Galler and Bowen dictate) and as I don't care a snap of my finger for any of them, you may imagine that my position is not very pleasant. However, I get the best of them all. I had my pay-rolls in first, and they were all compelled to copy from me. This morning (we have to be out in line an hour before daylight) I was the Senior Officer out, and had to take command of the regiment when Col. Barton rode up to the column. Butts, Sawyer, Galler, Pell and Bowen were all taking their ease in bed! I think there will be a small clap of thunder in this neighborhood before night!

 

            I must close. Please present my respects to all friends, particularly to Cap't "Joe" and "Schloey". I have written to the Italian "Count De Duffy" to-day.

 

            As soon as I hear from you, I shall write regularly and let you know all that is going on, and meantime remain, as ever,

                                                                       

Yours, truly,

John A Smith

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