Head Quarters 1^st Cav. Division

2^d Brigade Train                                                                     Bowling Green Ky.

                                                                                                            Dec. 25^th 1864.

                                                                       

                                                                        Dear Cousin

                                                                                    I almost feel a shame to write to you at this late houre, But it is better late than never, as the old saying is. I hope you’ll not infer from so long silence that I had become weary of your correspondence. For I had not. I shall not blaim you for censuring me for not writing before. As I have no particular excuse to make I’ll not make any. Though it has seemed to have taken al my lasure time to answer my letters I have received since returning to the field. However I ought to have considerd you as one of my best correspondence. I’ll try and make up my delay on the length of this letter, And give you a short sketch of what has transpired since we arived at Louisville Ky. last June. We remained at louisville from June the 9^th until August 15^th. Our stay in Louisville comprised one of the easest times I have had since I enlisted, the duty was comparatively nothing. when we first went there we done some scouting. We was signed to the Cavalry Beauro, and would have stayed there until this time if it had not been for an order from Gen. Thomas, which was worked through by our Colonel. Howsomever I have not been sorry we left there. For I was anxious to get back to the regiment. And it did seem as though we never should see our regiment. And when we did see it, it was in Louisville Ky. Nov 19^th

 

I’ll now endeavor to tell you how this came. We left Louisville/ on August 15^th was detailed to escort five hundred Horses and seven hundred mules through to Nashville. we arrived at Nashville August 24^th all safe. Soon after we got to Nashville Wheeler made his raid.

 

            I was in the pursuit of Wheeler, which lasted fifteen days—we had one man killed & five wounded. I came very near being hit.

 

            We returned to Nashville, and was getting ready to starte for our command, when Forrst the news came that Forest had taken Athens. This was on Sept. 26^th. That night, a detachment from our veterans and the Vets of the 2^d & 6^th Ind. was put aboard the cars, and sent to Paloski, which is seventy miles from Nashville. we arrived at Paloski that night, and marched out five miles, when we meet Forests forces. we lain in line of battle all night. The next morning Reauseaus Division came up, and the attack was made. The fight opened with a brisk skirmish, but Forest had to large a force for Reauseau, so we was compelled to fall back into Paloski. Reauseau planed a masked Battery and drew Forest on it. The battery opened on the rebels, killing overy a hundred of them before they could get away. The following day our detachment was put with Reauseaus command and sent to proteck the Nashville & Chattanooga R.R. But after getting over there we were orderd back, for Forest had moved around in our rear and attacked Columba. We got back there, but not in time to prevent Forest from tearing up some ten miles of Railroad and burning the bridge, Though we overhauled his reatreating forces at Floranc Alba and gave him a sound thrashing. Gen Steadmen came up with his command and so wh we had men enough to drive Forest into the river. And it probably would have been done if night had not closed farther actions. Forest took the advantage of darkness and crossed his command, which ended/ further pursuit. The whole command started back for Nashville arrived there on Saturday Oct. 15^th being gon twentyone days, and in that time our Horses was not on saddled but three times, so when we got back our horses was mostly played out. The loss loses on our side in the pursuit was 18 killed & 150 wounded. the rebels loss was more than double.        After remaining at Nashville until Oct. 21^st when the Veterans and a hundred new recruits for our regiment started for the command, which at that time were at Calhoan Ga, which is sixty miles from Chattanooga. But when within one mile and a half we learned our Division had turned over their horses and was orderd back to Nashville. Capt. Jones was then orderd to take his command and escort the Division Train to Nashville. So we turned around and started back the same day—this was Nov. 4^th. I remained with the train until we got to Bridgeport Ala. there my horse got lame. So I was put in charge of some twenty dismounted men, and sent to Nashville on the cars. arriving at Nas.V. we found the division had gon on to Louisville to be mounted. So I got transportation for my men and went through to Louisville, arrived there Nov. 12^th found our Division encamped three miles out off the city on the Bargetown Pike in a beautifull grove. We remained at Louisville until December 4^th whil at Louisville our regiment got four hundred new recruits from Was. The Regt was then reorganized and mounted & newly equipped. we drew the Spencer Cabins.  Seven Shooters. There was some promotions made in our company—I was promoted from 1^st Corpl. to Quarter Master Sergeant, over three Sergeants, but by their own consent. So I belive it was satisfactory to all the boys in the Company. It is the easest place in the company but, there is a responsibility which I have to be trusted with.

 

            I’ll now give you a short sketch of our march from Louisville. As I/ have already said we brok up camp at Louisville Dec. 4^th. It was quite a cold day. we felt it more, becaus we had been housed up for so long in compatible quarters, the second third day out it snowed. It snowed as equal to any snow storm I’d ever seen, an the fourth day it came off cold. I suffered more with the cold that day than I had any day since I enlisted. several of our Boys froze their feet. We had two quite cold days after that. We march into this place. Bowling Green Dec 13^th that night news came that Lyon was marching on to Franklin. So the next morning we started and march out to Franklin. The following day we march to Russelville expecting to meet the rebels there, but they had fell back to Hopkinsville. The next day the command went on after Lyon. the train was orderd back to Bowling Green. And I was put in charge of the Ordnance Stores of our regiment, and that is why I am away from the command. We got back here on the 17^th. Our Brigade had a fight with Lyon at Hopkinsville and took two pieces Artillery. Our Regt. had one man killed & eight wounded. And since I have heard they had another fight and captured one more piece. Lyon then divided his force. Gen. McCook then took the 3^rd Brigade and started after one force, and Col. O H LaGrange after the other and they have not been heard of since. The Railroad has been cut between here and Louisville, so I cant say how soon you will get this. My health is good. I guess I have strung this out as much as it will be intresting for you to read. So by hopeing this will find you and family in the best of health I’ll close—

 

                                                            Write Soon.

Direct to pomo Ttrain In care of Lieut. J F Blunt 4^th Ind                   Sergt. L. Davis

SOURCES