Head Quarters 77^th Regt O.V.I.

1^st Brigade, 3^d Div. 16^th Army Corps,

Arkansas Expedition,

Clarendon, Ark., Aug 21, 1863.

 

My dear Wife

                        We arrived here on the 15^th, and are still here. Gen. Davidson's Cavalry Division is across the river, and I heard had a fight with the rebs to-day, finding it necessary to fall back.

 

            We are getting along very well. But few of our men are too unwell to continue the march—say half a dozen out of the regiment.

 

            Capt. M^cNaughton has been appointed Provost Marshal of the Post of Clarendon by Maj. General Steele, and his Company detached as Provost Guard.

 

            Lieut. Smithson has been detached from my Co. to Command Co. H. till Capt Ross returns. Capt. Garrett arrived here to-day, on a Steamer that came around by the mouth of White river. He confirms the report, that Charleston is taken and Lee is well whipped by Meade, and driven to Richmond. It is said also that the rebel Lieut. Genl Holmes, of this Department is dead—that he died of wounds received at the battle of Helena.

 

            I am in excellent health. I think I can stand a campaign with any of them. Only three of my boys are on the sick list, and they are running / about quite lively—able for their rations.—Lieut. West is a very good officer, and quite popular with the boys.        By the way, it is said my Co. is better disciplined than any other in the 77^th—or even in the Brigade. I think it excelled by none—at least.

 

            We have no sutler, and I am not very sorry. The boys spend too much of their money when we have one. Those we have here, belonging to other Regts. sell for three or four prices. We get our rations from the Post Commissary, at about the same prices paid elsewhere.

 

            If you have not gone home when you get this, let me know all the news from Marietta you can get. If you are at Marietta, send all the news.

 

            "Billy" Day is No. 1. Orderly—the best in the Regiment, I believe. I think he will have a commission before he leaves the service.

 

            We have not had a letter since we left Helena; and as I got none from you there, you can guess I am looking anxiously for one. Only think, three whole weeks and no letter. I am sure it is not you but the mail arrangements that it is owing to.

 

            Dearest love, it is so much pleasanter when you are with me. Being away from my sweet wife is the part of a soldier's life I dislike.

 

            How are my "big babies"? I dream of you all often. Let me hear from you twice a week—"and then some". My love to you all, and my kind regards to friends

                                                                       

As ever, dearest, your                                                                                                                                    

A.W. M^cCormick

 

P.S. I hear the guerrillas have burned all the bridges between here and Helena since we passed over them. I do not know the report to be true. It is said the rebel forces are entrenching at Bayou Meto, about 40 miles out the Little Rock road. Capt. Garrett says he was told on the boat that most of the citizens of Little Rock are from Pennsylvania and other Northeastern states, and many of them are Union men. He thinks when we get there we will be "right in town".

           

The boat leaves soon, so I must close

M^cC.

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