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

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

                        Arkansas Expedition,

Brownsville, Ark., Sept 5, 1863.

 

My very dear Wife:

                        I wrote you since our arrival here, and started the same morning—day before yesterday—for Bayou Meto,—where the rebels had recently been encamped, and where they have been threatening to resist our progress. It is 15 miles from the village of Brownsville, and as we are two or three miles south west of the town, we had to march about 18 miles to get there. When we got near the Bayou, we shelled the rebel camp and breastworks—but they had gone; having burned the bridge before they left. Our boys really expected a fight here, and came up to the work manfully—but found no enemy.

 

            We found by the old finger-board at the Bayou that the distances from that point are: "To Brownsville 15 miles"—"to Des Arc 45 miles"—"to Memphis 140 miles"—and "to Little Rock only 12 miles". So we had reached within 12 miles of the great point at which the rebel armies of Gens. Kirby Smith, Holmes, Price, Parsons, Marmaduke and others were concentrating:—and yet no fight. As we had brought no tents, and but two days rations, we marched back to this place yesterday—after camping the night before on the ground the rebels had left.

 

            When we got back to Brownsville, we found that a large mail had arrived, of which the 77^th got a full share—but no letter for me—except one from Wm. Lorey, announcing the ticket nominated Aug 13. / Oh! how I did hope for a letter or two from you,—and how much I was disappointed,—you, dearest love, can easily imagine. I could not believe for some time that no letter from you had arrived. I thought some one had got them, and had failed to deliver them for a while. But as the night wore on and no one handed me a letter, I became convinced that none came. They have miscarried I am sure, as I feel quite confident you have written regularly.

 

            Jacob Beidel, of Co. B, a German boy from Marietta, died this morning, and was buried near our camp. He was was well enough to drive his team yesterday, but was taken with congestive chills last night, and died this morning.

 

            As the Regiment came in from the Bayou last evening, Col. Mason's horse got entangled in a telegraph wire lying along the road, and became frightened. He ran some distance and threw the Colonel to the ground, breaking his jaw and otherwise injuring him—though it is hoped not dangerously. He thinks he will be fit for duty in a short time, and said to some of the Officers that he hoped no one would write home about it, as it would alarm his family. I take the liberty of mentioning it to you, with the request that you keep it quiet till he chooses to inform his wife—unless some of the boys should write an exaggerated account of it home, and give her unnecessary alarm. In that case, you'll do her a favor by telling her the facts in the case.

 

            I am in very good health—never had better. I made the two days hard march yesterday and the day before without trouble. West and Smithson are both well again, and every man in my Co except those left back, are for duty. They march admirably. The 36^th Iowa and 43^d Indiana, (the other Regts of our Brigade) say they would as soon / think of running down a pack of greyhounds as the 77^th boys. They'll think we can fight some too, if the rebels will make a stand.

 

            Dearest, if you have been getting my letters regularly, you will notice that I have written you at least twice a week under any circumstances. I will continue to do so unless—being on a march—or something of that kind—I have no opportunity. If I get sick, I will let you know it. I am not one of those who think a wife should be kept in ignorance of her husband's ill health, if he gets sick. A woman will fancy something is wrong, if there be an evident design to conceal the state of his health from her. And when I say I am in good health, you know me well enough to believe I am really well. I expect you to inform me if any of the family get sick, and just what the matter is, as nearly as you can. This you always have done, I believe, and it is much better than uncertainty.

 

            We hear nothing later from Col. De Hass. As Col. Mason is disabled for the present, Maj. Stevens is now in command.

 

            We have marched about one hundred and fifty miles since we left Helena; and all the Officers, with rare exception, (and I am one of the exceptions,) have given out and had to ride part of the time. I have surprised them all—and I still walk along when we march with my "usual ability".

 

            Lt. Fisher and I stopped a few minutes as our Regt came past Gen. Steele's Head Quarters and took tea (or rather coffee) with Capt. M^cNaughton. Mac lives like a lord and has no marching to do. "Lucky dog". He handed me a letter from Burris. B. says it is nice to be "a citizen of the United States, and subject only to General Order No 1—the Constitution". Also, that he appreciates the line: "Soldier, rest, thy warfare's o'er". / As he says "Give my regards to Capt. M^cCormick and any other decent man you can find in the Regiment", he must think there are a few in it who do not deserve that appellation.

 

            Well, it is now 6 PM and we have got our camp in fine condition. Our tents are all on lines and the streets regular and clean. Lt. Smithson is on Court Martial business; and Lt. West and I have been fixing up our quarters. We sat an empty cracker barrel in the corner, on which we set our desk. Our provision box answers for a seat. We drive four forks in the ground—lay cross poles on them—and on these we lay poles about the size of hoop poles. On those we spread fine brush. Next we lay our gum blankets on the fine brush and a couple of woolen blankets on these. With other woolen blankets to cover with, and the pillow you put in my blankets, we have a bed fit for a king. Almost equal to the best spring mattress, don't you think?

 

            I bought a Cincinnati Commercial of the 25^th of August, last night, for 25 cts. They were selling at 40 to 50 cts an hour earlier in the evening. I find things pretty much as when we left the civilized world; only it is said Fort Sumter is "tottering to its fall". I also got a Marietta Republican of the 13^th, the Register of the 21^st, the Alton Telegraph of the 17^th and the Democrat of the 20^th—besides a Cincinnati "National Union" of the 9^th.

 

            I am taking no part in politics this fall—as it becomes a soldier placed as I am to do. I am just what I always was; though this is no place to discuss politics. We have a foe in our front to be met and routed, and we will leave the politics of the day to those at home, who have more time to attend to such matters.

 

            I hope, darling, that you are already snugly situated at home, keeping house, as though you had always been there. How much pleasure it would give me to be there to spend a few days with you and my dear children. Tell Lynn "Papa—homey—kissey" as soon as he can. In the meantime, Mama "kissey" for Papa.

 

            I am looking for your letters with so much interest. Start bushels of them,—dear, sweet love.    My love to you all

                                               

A.W. M^cCormick

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