#15

 

Corinth, Miss. Jan. 18, 1863

 

Dear Sister:

                        I received your last letter a day or two before leaving Oxford, but as you know I have had no opportunity since that time of writing until since my arrival at this place.

 

            In my letter to mother I promised to say a little concerning my marches.

 

New Year's morning, bright and beautiful, found us on the battlefield. After cooking up the half pint of meal issued to us for our day's rations, we started on our way and marched to Lexington, 11 miles distant. I should have stated previously that the force of rebs. whom we were now pursuing consisted entirely of cavalry. The next morning we started towards the Tennessee River and marched that day 26 miles. You may rest assured that we were somewhat weary that night / when we reached our camping ground. But very little rest did we get. All night long the rain poured down upon our shelterless heads, wetting our blankets, and causing them to weigh down tremendously. During the night we were all aroused by a volley of musketry and the beating of the long roll, and we thought that we were attacked; but it proved to be a party of our own pickets who had fired into each other by mistake. This fatal blunder cost two men their lives. The morning of the third came, and the rain was still pouring down. The roads were heavy with mud and the creeks were up, and we thought that surely we should not march. But we were mistaken. We were ordered forward; and forward we went. We were now at the big hills near the Tennessee River. Through drenching rain, up long, slippery rocky hills, through mud from 6 inches to 2 feet deep, across creeks and gullies over which there was no sign of a bridge,—all / these things made that a trip long to be remembered. We finally traversed the seven miles that lay between us and the river, and came out upon the banks of the Tennessee. We found that the enemy had crossed the river. We were moved into the woods into a little hollow, just behind the bank. On the opposite side of the river a high bluff afforded an excellent position for artillery, while on our side the river no good place for artillery could be found. We had been in our position but a few moments ere the rebels planted a battery, and caused our artillery to leave in double quick time. Our commander thought it prudent also to move us ere the rebs should find our position and shell us. They sent out one or two shots as feelers for us but they passed over the tops of the trees. We soon started back and about dark we stopped for the night in a deserted house, having marched some 13 or 14 miles. / My pants up to my knees were one solid casing of mud. Fortunately I had a pair in my knapsack, and my old ones being nearly worn out anyhow I threw them away. Long shall I recollect that day. The next day we rested and dried our clothes. The day after we started again. I will not detail each day's march. Suffice it to say that we marched to Purdy, about 50 miles, and thence to this place 28 miles. I stood it all very well until the last day. Upon reaching this place I was completely worn out. The exposure and hardship gave me a severe cold which settled in my eyes. For two or three days I could scarcely see out of my eyes. Then came some wet, disagreeable weather, ere we received our tents and had time to fix them. Everything seems to have conspired to make me uncomfortable, but I begin to feel much better now, and presume I shall soon be all right again.

 

            We lived off the country on our march. We would take all the corn meal and flour to be found, and wo unto the stock at night when we made out stop. Hogs, sheep, young cattle, chickens, and geese suffered tremedously. The quantity of fresh meat that we made way with was almost incredible. Although we were very short of breadstuffs sometimes I did not suffer with hunger on the whole march. One thing is certain, however. Very little to eat was left on the line of march.

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