Receivd Oct 20^th

Reply Mailed at Milton

for December 11^th

 

Smiths Landing Oct    1862

 

Dear Father, Yours of Aug 29^th was rec^d in due time. We are glad to find that your farm products are turning out so well, in your case it proves conclusively that the road to remuneration lies in judicious and thorough cultivation. I never was so tired of merchandising as at present, and would gladly exchange all I have for a farm. Business was never better, cash being now the rule and credit the exception. the profits on my last weeks sales was $31^38/100, this is oweing in part to so many stores having closed and moved off their goods. We have been under great excitement for the past six weeks. The rebels have been in force in our immediate vicinity and it was feared they might attempt the passage of the river, as we are between two fords, either of which can be crossed by Cavalry without any difficulty. These are guarded every night, by the citizens, but not in force sufficient to prevent the enemy from crossing if they desired. Twice we have / packed our goods with a view of moving to the interior, and when we return at night we have no assurance that the morning dawn will find us in possession of our humble river home. Truly the Rebels by their desperate energy have brought the war to our very doors. The most thrilling and exciting scene I ever witnessed was the battle of Augusta on the 27^th of September, about 2 p.m., a report came flying up the road that the rebel Cavalry force had crossed the lower ford. amidst during the excitement caused by this report a messenger for the gun boat came by at full speed, shouting as he passed, "the rebels are attacking Augusta". I took my spy glass and ascended to the roof of my store where I distinctly saw the foe in force back of the town on the hill, where they had planted two pieces of Artillery from which they were firing on to the town. They were all mounted and their commander rode a grey horse. I fancied I could almost hear him giving his orders as he rode from one part of the field to another. Soon a dense smoke arose from the town it was soon in flames, and then the enemy galloped furiously down the / dirt road that winds around the graveyard into the town. They dismounted at the edge of town and entered on foot where they were met with "Bloody hands and hospitable graves" by the home guards under Dr Josh Bradford who had placed his men to the number of about 100, in the houses from the windows of which they poured a most unmerciful fire on their enemies. The main fight was on Mill St. The carnage was fearfull, fully 100 of the rebels were either killed or wounded, they lost about 12 officers. The loss of the Home guard was twelve and these were all killed on the street after the surrender with the exception of one man. The stores were all plundered Two squares of the most valuable portion of the town was burnt. They gathered up their plunder and prisoners leaving some of their wounded and dead and left the same night for the interior. The gun boats (three) fled ingloriously after firing about 3 three rounds, one of which killed two rebel officers and one man. Had the gun boat officers done half their duty the enemy would / experienced an overwhelming defeat as it was they were badly whipped.

 

Many of the Union residents are crossing to this side for safety. Twenty crossed yesterday, small squads of rebels are scouring the hills opposite and swearing every person they meet to never take up arms against the Southern Confederacy The Sunday following the battle not less than 2,000 flocked on the border for its protection. they came with rifles & shot guns, from as far as Batavia twenty five miles distant. Why Go^v Tod does not adopt the most vigorous means to organize and arm the people along the border is to me a profound mystery 200 rebels might cross over at any time and devastate this neighborhood and retire with but little loss. I wrote to John a few days ago. Pet^s health and my own is not good at present, the children are all well. I inclose rough sketch of our house as it now is. All send love, write soon,

                                                                                   

Yours affectionately

C. W. Carlton

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