New Orleans, La., Feb 26, 1865.

 

My very dear Wife

            I have now the pleasure of writing you a letter, not a mere note,—as I was forced to do while in the rebel lines. Oh! how happy I am to be a free man once more, and to have the privilege of writing my darling wife a letter that I feel sure will reach her—and which does not have to pass under the eye of detested rebel officers. Dearest, I can now say all I feel, and have no fears of its stopping the passage of the letter.

 

            When I received your letter of the 19^th of December—the only one I got from you while I was a prisoner of war—I was much rejoiced to know that you and my darling children, as well as others who are near and dear to me were well.—I had then but little hopes of an exchange this soon; but the long-looked-for day arrived at last, and the 77^th Regt, with about a thousand others were exchanged yesterday at the mouth of Red River. We were paroled at Camp Ford on the 7^th of this month—left Tyler on the 15^th—reached Shreveport, after a tedious march, on the 22^d—left there the same night, and reached the mouth of Red River yesterday morning (after ten months imprisonment) just in time to see the rebel pris- / landed there to be exchanged for us. It would have done your heart good to have heard the boys of our Brigade cheer when we came in sight of the dear old flag—the glorious Star Spangled banner of the Union.

 

            We arrived here this morning—took the men to the Barracks—got our passes from the Provost Marshal to pass at pleasure through the city till March 5^th—and are now enjoying the good things served up at a boarding house near the Barracks. I was introduced to Maj Gen. T.W. Sherman, Commandant of the Post, by Col. Sterling, this morning, and had quite a satisfactory interview with him. He asked me, (as the ranking officer of those exchanged with me) to furnish him a list of the Officers in the party and he would see that we got paid a few months pay to-day or to-morrow—and that we should get a furlough of at least 30 days at home as soon as the papers could be made out. He also told me our Brigade were all in this vicinity now.

 

            I met Lieut Roberts of the 56^th Ohio, who told me he saw them here a few days ago, and I learn from other sources that they are five miles below the city, in camp. I expect to see the 77^th soon, and then come home. Lieut Roberts told me that the ten companies were all consolidated into six—that Col. Mason, Maj. Sisson, Capt Chandler, Capt Robinson, Capt Garrett Lt. Henry and several other officers were mustered out, including myself—but that I was to get pay till exchanged and officially notified of the fact. So I will soon be "at home to stay", as / the children and you have been wishing. I am rejoiced to think the time is so near when I am to be with you to leave no more; and yet I feel many regrets at the thought of leaving the service of my country as an Army Officer, especially as the men of the Regiment have become so much attached to me, and express so much sorrow that I must leave them. They crowded around me to-day when they heard it, and all seemed disappointed, as they ascertained the fact, and I could hear on every hand, "I would rather lose any other officer of the Regiment". I suppose it is natural, as I have always taken so much interest in their welfare, led them in field at Marks Mills, and have been their dependence for any privilege they might think worth while to ask of the rebel authorities since we have been prisoners together. But for the efforts I made to get them permission to pass out of the Stockade (or prison) to get timber to build winter quarters, and for fuel, they would have suffered much more than they did. But much as I regret to part with them, I rejoice much more at the thought of being with you—of spending the balance of my life with my darlings at home. I shall probably come by way of the New Orleans and New York line of Ocean Steamers, and hope that a few days after you get this, to be with you myself. Lest I should be detained a few weeks, settling my affairs with government, and getting my pay, don't fail to answer this, di- / recting to "Capt AW M^cCormick, 77^th Regt OVI, New Orleans". It will follow the Regt. if you direct a letter thus, and be forwarded home to me again, if I go before it comes. Rest assured, I will not stay away from you a day longer than necessary.

 

Write to our folks in the West, and to friends in Marietta, that I am exchanged, in good health, and will be home soon, with an honorable discharge, after three years and a half of hard service, in which time I hope those who served with me will bear testimony that my military career has not been without honor to myself or advantage to my country. Having been twice recommended, almost unanimously, for a field office, by the Officers of the Regiment,— presented with a sword, sword belt and sash of splendid quality by my Company, and only being mustered out now by reason of expiration of my commission as Captain,—I feel proud of my record. Being junior in rank lost me promotion, but it did not lose me command of the Regiment in the next most severe battle it was ever in. Nobly did my little command of four hundred men contest the day with from six to eight thousand of the enemy, on the bloody field of Marks Mills—but overpowered and surrounded after more than an hour's hard fighting, when our ammunition became exhausted, we were compelled to yield—but we still kept fighting them till, cut to pieces, we were captured in little detachments of half a dozen at a time. But they acknowledge they paid dearly for us. Some of them report seven hundred killed in the fight—a large proportion of them by the 77^th Ohio.

 

Give my love to all the friends—particularly to Father, Mother and all the rest of the family. Tell Emma I expect to write to her soon. Frank and Lee and Lynn will get no letter I guess, but I will come and see them soon        I am, dearest, as ever yours

                                                                                                           

A W M^cCormick.

SOURCES