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

On board Steamer Commercial,

Memphis, Tenn, March 9, 1864.

 

My very dear Wife:

                        We start at 5 PM—and it is now—for Little Rock, via Arkansas River. The Field and Staff, and five Companies of the 77^th Regt are on the "Commercial", A and B on the "Annie Jacobs", and D, I & K on the "Key West". I am in excellent health, and there are but few sick in the Regiment—none from Marietta.

 

            We expect to reach Little Rock on Tuesday or Wednesday, if the river is not too low. If it is, we will possibly have to come back down to the White River, and go via Duvall's Bluffs.

 

            The Officers of the 77^th except Capt. Morris, Lts. Jones Mitchell and Marlow, signed a petition to Gov Brough to promote me to a Field Office, the Colonel endorsed it, and reminded the Governor that in the volunteer service the Officers wish to choose their own commanders as much as possible, remarking that such was the feeling of the 77^th. Several strong letters from Officers of the Regt, besides the petition, have gone to Columbus. Maj. Warfield, who is an old friend of Gen. B. Rush Cowan's, signed it, and said he would write a special letter to the Adjt Genl. to be sure and make me Lt. Col. Every officer who signed it, I believe, desires the same thing done, as nearly all of them have said so. When Capt. M^cKitrick signed it, he was very emphatic in expressing a hope that I would be Lieut. Colonel.

 

            The members of Co G, in addition to the superb sword and belt presented to me, purchased the finest sash they could find in the city of Memphis, and presented it to me. I am proud of the presents and of the boys. /

 

            As I said about Dr. Robertson buying Lynn, "there are not Greenbacks enough" yet to buy that sword and sash from me.

 

            The 77^th gets the name of being one of the best disciplined Regiment that ever passed up or down the Mississippi! Capt. Melburn of the Steamer Adams, says so, as do all boatmen we have travelled with.

 

            The Cincinnati Commercial's notice of the 77^th will be found in the paper I send to Lee. The Regt is getting its name in the papers, at any rate. The Cincinnati Gazette of the 4^th "rather overdid the thing", as Sut Lovingood would say. I stated that we lost 300 at Shiloh, had served with Sherman and been in all the battles he has fought since, that we have 460 veterans, and an aggregate of 850 men now. Exaggerated just a little.

 

            Let me know all the news, dearest. I read your letters with so much interest. I have got none from you this month, except an old one written on the 13^th of November! I read even it with pleasure and profit, as it had much of interest that I had never heard. I think your letters have passed us, and will be found at Little Rock when we reach there. Keep sending them love; they'll reach me some time, and be sweet visitors when they come.

 

            You need not send me the Register every week, if Capt M^cNaughton's comes regularly. But as he may be Provost Marshal, or something else that will take him away from the Regiment, I want you to send me such as have articles in which I or the 77^th boys would take a special interest.

 

            If you find good things in the Statesman send them, but if it follows Val. and Fernando Wood, you need not—except occasionally just to let me know how it does talk. I want to see the proceedings of the 24^th of March Convention, &c. I met Mr. Layman in Cincinnati, last Friday, and he said Little Mac would be next President. I am inclined to think Mr. Lincoln will be; but we shall see. /

 

            The other two boats have left and ours is just going; and as I am desirous this should leave next mail, I close. If you see anything in any of the papers that you know would interest me, either send the paper or enclose the slip from it in a letter. It is not worth while to presume I have seen any news; as the mails are not regular—especially the newspaper mails.

 

            If you hear that our Regt has moved, don't change the directions till you hear from me.

 

            Arkansas is a Department now—commanded by Maj. Gen. F Steele. Steele's troop are now the 7^th Army Corps.

 

            The 43^d Indiana is waiting till we get to "the Rock" before it can leave, though it re-enlisted some time since. So says a clerk in Memphis

                                                                                   

Yours as ever

AW M^cCormick

 

Capt Sisson has arrived

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