Monterey April 14^th 1862

 

            Capt George says dear wife that he will send a courier very early in the morning a mail so that I have another opportunity of writing to you. Last night we received a mail but no letters from you. I suppose they will come along some time or other, and I must content myself as best I can. Since our arrival here we have had a busy time. The attack I wrote you about, we have since had a confirmation in regard to the force of the enemy. They expected to meet only about five hundred men at this place and sent more than three times that number to overpower us. The men met however by a part of two companies of the seventy fifth and so severely handled that they retreated in a great hurry. Gen^l Fremont has dispatched to Gen^l Milroy requesting him to thank the troops for their gallant / defense. The rebel account of the fight is somewhat amusing. We received it from a resident at the little town of M^cDowell about ten miles in our advance who came into our camp yesterday. The rebels both in their advance and retreat passed close by his house, and gave him an account of the whole affair. The first dispatch they sent back to Gen^l Johnson who was in command of the rebels was that they had engaged our forces who were seventeen hundred strong. The second dispatch stated that they had driven the seventeen hundred over the mountain where they could see our camp, and a large force some six or seven thousand men drawn up in line of battle with five batteries of artillery. Upon the receipt of this dispatch they were ordered to retreat. The truth is they were met by part of two of my companies, which were the 1700 and they received after the / fighting was over three shots I believe from one piece of artillery. The men badly frightened ran long before they could have sent a dispatch back to M^cDowell & received an answer. My men that are will the Doctors think both get well, but one of them has lost his leg. It was amputated yesterday morning. So far he is doing well. Both of the wounded men behaved very gallantly as did all of our men. On yesterday afternoon I had just laid down to take a nap when Gen^l Milroy burst into the room (his own by the way) crying "to horse men, to horse, the rebels have come into Crab bottom (our last camping ground) one thousand strong, and had captured our teams". This was startling news and as soon as our horses could be saddled we mounted & marched for Crabbottom The 75^th turned out like a flash and we were on the road in a very few moments. The other regiments here turned out as quick / as we did, and all but one marched for the point of reported danger. We had marched about two or three miles when it was ascertained to be a false alarm, and we were ordered back to our quarters. A cowardly teamster had become frightened at some of our own men and spread the alarm. We have now at Monterey quite a force, as the rebels will discover should they make another attack, but I must not mention how many troops lest my letter fall into other hands. In a few days Schenck will join us and Blenker also. What we are to do with so large a force I do not know, as it will more than suffice for all purposes here. Major Riley with our three companies returns tomorrow when the 75^th will again be full. We have heard of the glorious victory at Corinth, with however few particulars. Gen^l Johnson is reported killed. Where is Miss Henny? This will be a sad blow to her. Have you received the package of money. Love to the children & all the family with a good night kiss to darling wife

                                                           

N. C. M^cLean

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