Camp 11^th Regt N.H.Vols

Erins' Station East Tenn Jan. 31. 1864

                       

My Very Dear Sister

                                                            Are you getting very anxious to hear from me? Well dont get vexed with me for I write just as often as I get time. Probably I write home more frequently than to you, but you know there are so many to write to there of course I must write a little oftener. I received a nice letter from you yesterday and last week a note appended to Lydia Howards letter. It seems to me the longer I stay in the Army the more I love letters from home and friends. In this country especially do they cheer one in this country where rations consist of 1 ¼ of a lb of flour for three days with a little pork.

 

            Since I wrote you last we have "changed base" Did I write you from Lee Springs? I think I did.

 

            Friday Jan 15 orders were issued for us to march next morning, and Saturday Jan 16 we broke camp and marched to "Strawberry Plains"—a station on the East Tenn and Virginia Rail Road about eighteen miles north east of Knoxville. At this place a bridge has been in process of building (since the siege of Knoxville) over the Holston river—and until this was finished of course the rail road could be of no use beyond Strawberry Plains. A strong detail was kept constantly / at work upon this bridge and we all expected the port of Strawberry Plains could be a base for further operations. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the next week after our arrival there were taken up in building winter quarters. Thursday morning the quiet of our camp was changed to bustle and confusion. During the night we received orders to march at 8 a.m. Thursday. Daylight came and we soon found out the cause of the movement. Our Army was on the retreat. During the previous day & night it seems the rebs advanced and drove in the 23^rd Army Corps (composed of Western troops) Retreating to our side of the river they burned the new rail road bridge, and all the roads leading towards Knoxville were filled with men, teams and artillery. The Cavalry and mounted Infantry always first to get out of the way on a retreat, made off for Knoxville and the 9^th Corps covered the retreat. As soon as our army crossed to the north side of the river the pickets of the enemy made their appearance on the opposite bank, and poured a hot fire into any squad of luckless soldiers who happened to be in sight. soon after that the enemy brought several pieces of artillery to bear on our camp forcing us to beat a hasty retreat to a more sheltered location.

 

            In the evening we were told that a large amount of fresh pork was lying on the bank of the river which any one could have by going after it. Such was the eagerness among the men to get it a detail was obliged to be made of which I had charge. Off we went four miles through the mud. There was a general rush after we got within about a mile of the place—order was out of the question so I said / go in boys, get what you can, and they immediately broke ranks—When I got there all were scrambling for a big piece regardless of the enemy's fire, who were attracted by the noise they made. Well we got back to camp and the men went to bed that night without being hungry. Being very tired I threw myself down before a good fire and enjoyed an hours rest. At 1 o'clock Friday morning we were up and away again. Before going a mile we came upon a 3 gun battery stuck in the mud and abandoned by the Artillerists. Gen Ferrero said—Attention Second Brigade! those guns must go along. Each regiment in our Brigade took a piece—'Twas worth seeing—those men tugging at a long rope up and down the muddy hills. How this would sound in History—Ferrero Crossing the Cumberland Mts—Our progress was necessarily slow. At daylight Friday we had made but four miles. We halted & made a little coffee then moved on. At noon were but nine miles from Knoxville and a halt of an hour was ordered. Ere we had stacked arms and made ready for a rest were ordered to fall in instantly. The cause was apparent, down the road came all the 23 Army Corps closely pursued by the Cavalry of the enemy, indeed the "Johnnies" soon came in sight on a neighboring hill. We immediately formed line of battle and threw out skirmishers, double quicked about half a mile then back again, finally we took up the march once more to the rear. From this point the retreat was conducted in good order and although the enemy's Cavalry pressed / up very close a part of the way, they captured only a few stragglers. At night we halted two miles out of Knoxville and threw out a strong picket. The rebs came up and exchanged shots with our advance then withdrew during the night, as at daylight next morning no enemy were in sight. Saturday we lie on our arms all day and the men drew rations of hard bread coffee and sugar. Sunday at 8 a.m. Jan. 24 we broke camp and came over here. This station is five miles south east from Knoxville on same railroad. The country about here has been foraged over by both Armies so many times scarcely anything is left but corn, and very little of that. Many of our boys pay 20 cts. per qt. for meal. Our mess manages now to get hard bread, pork & chickens with a little desiccated potatoes. All sorts of rumors are afloat about the removal of the 9^th Corps to a northern clime. Even our brigade commander (Lt. Col. Collins of our Regt) declares that we shall soon go. So mote it be—we want to be with Burnside wherever that may be.

 

            I can write no more tonight. Remember me to Edwin Lydia Mrs & Mr Howard and all inquiring friends

 

            Shall write to Sue very soon

                                                           

With Much Love

Your Affectionate Brother

J. C. Currier

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