On Board Ohio No 3,

Pittsburg, Tenn. Mar 16.

 

My Dear Wife

            We are at a small town on the banks of the Tennessee River, 10 miles above Savannah and about 30 from Florence, Ala. We were up the river into Mississippi and Alabama day before yesterday, and made a landing in Mississippi, but the river and creeks are so high that we could not get to where the Rebel troops are by that route. We dropped back to Pittsburg, and will make an excursion into the country, to attack a Secession camp to-night or in the morning. I wrote you from Paducah, Ky, and enclosed a check on the Co. Treasury to you. I also wrote you from Savannah. I have got none from you since the note reached me in Mr. Williams' letter, but I expect one to-night, as a boat has just arrived, said / to have "two bushels" of letters for the 77^th. I am very well and nearly all our boys are well. J N Williamson is the sickest man I have on the boat. He is getting better.

 

            All my men left at Camp Dennison are here now—Sipple, C. Strahl, Harvey Tice, Cameron, Ira Nulen and Luther Cline arrived here to-day for my Co. I now have all my men here now but Sergts Cross and Wichterman & Privates Isaiah Cline, J. Meredith, Reuben T. Thornton and Corporal Geo W. Early. Meredith is nursing in the Paducah Hospital, and the others are sick at the place. Not dangerously so, I believe.

 

            I called to see Coon Leckliter to-day. He is sick on the Steamer "Benj. J Adams, lying next below us, on which the 46^th Ohio Regt is quartered. He had a chill, and I fear he is in danger of having lung fever again, as he had it two years ago. / I will do all I can fort him, if we stay in reach of him.

 

            Right here the mail arrived, and I got your letter of the 6^th. Oh! how glad I was to get a letter from you, and to know that none of you are sick—but sorry to hear of your toothache. If you can, I would have the tooth extracted. Corporal Williams is well. I see him daily. Col. Hildebrand is not appointed a Genl., but he may be made a Genl., and I may be a Major, but there is no knowing what will happen yet. Wait till we've had a fight. Our Division, composed of about a dozen regiments, commanded by Gen. Sherman will march against the rebels in the morning; and if the troops which left Manassas / have not all concentrated here, we will doubtless whip them, as Gen. Buell and Gen Smith will join us and make our force about 150,000 strong. We have taken some Secesh prisoners, and they say their army intends attacking us to-night. But I don't believe they will do it. If they do, they'll meet a warm reception. I have a good sword and a good revolver, and I think I can spill some rebel blood, if they attack us and we get in a close fight. With eighty good men to stand by me, I feel like making my mark. If I don't, it will be for want of an opportunity. I will write you if possible in a day or two—provided there is a boat going to Paducah. That is our nearest P.O.—only 250 miles distant! Address me there still. Our march through the soil of Missippi, on Friday, did not dishearten the boys—muddy and fruitless as it was. We think the Tennessee roads better, and will try them in the morning. Possibly we will polish our boots with Alabama mud in a few days. Glad to hear Lee is so sensative about his good name. Hope the next report from Frank will be better. Emma and Lynn get high praise this time. Glad to hear it. My love to all.       M^c

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