Monterey April 13^th 1862

           

We arrived here dear wife early yesterday morning. Our last camping ground was at Crabbottom some six miles distant. Before daylight yesterday morning I was roused up by a dispatch from Gen^l Milroy ordering me to march immediately in quick time for this place with six companies. In less than an hour I was in the saddle and marched over according to orders. Everything was quiet when I arrived, but the cavalry had been driven in by the rebels who were advancing upon this place. in about an hour after our arrival the news of their approach kept coming faster & faster until at dinner time the firing could be heard distinctly from the outposts. They pressed on until they reached the mountain which overlooks the town, where Gen^l Milroy ordered me to send two companies as skirmishers to meet them which I did in double quick time. My boys went at it with good will & very soon the firing where they were became sharp & heavy. The place was upon the side of a rough mountain heavily timbered & full of brush. My boys were ordered to fall back if the attack became heavy & after about two hours skirmishing they gradually gave back, but not until the enemy attempted to flank them with a much superior force on both flanks. Gen^l Milroy then sent forward a piece of artillery which was fired only three times & the rebels made no further attack but left in great haste throwing away some of their knapsacks. Two of my men in Company D Capt Metcalf were wounded seriously. One in the leg & the other in the shoulder. They are both well cared for & will recover, although one will probably lose his leg. We have since the fight ascertained that the / rebels had a full regiment of infantry with two squadrons of cavalry & two pieces of artillery, yet they were driven back by our two companies & three shots from our canon. We ascertained their force from two men who were in the advance, and could not retreat from there but took to the brush & concealed themselves there having a good view of the force both as it went out and came back. My boys are confident that they killed at least five of the enemy, but the men concealed in the brush say that they had four or five wagons filled with men on their retreat. Whether they were dead or wounded we cannot say. This is the first time that any of the boys have been under fire & they behaved admirably. The companies were Co G. Capt Swope & Co D. Capt Metcalf. Both captains led their men bravely. We will probably advance from here as soon as our force is increased by the arrival of Gen^l Schenck who ought to be here now. On last Thursday by order of Gen^l Milroy I sent Major Riley with three companies F. Capt Morgan, C. Capt Harris & E. Capt Foster to meet Gen^l Schenck at Franklin some twenty five miles from here. We have not heard from him since. He was ordered to hold Franklin until Gen^l Schenck arrived. Today I will insist upon sending a squad of cavalry to him, as I am getting a little uneasy. The enemy are not in that direction that we know of but I must hear from him if possible to be certain that he is safe. I am writing in Gen^l Milroys quarters having camped on the floor of his room last night. My own tent is not yet up so that I cannot get at my trunk for letter paper but take whatever I can find. The messenger is ready to start who takes this letter with others and I must stop. I will write whenever I get an opportunity. Three letters from you were forwarded to Crabbottom & I expect our mails will come pretty regularly. Love to the children & all the family, and loving kisses to darling wife from her loving husband—

                                                                       

N. C. M^cL

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