Memphis Tenn July 24^th 1864

 

Dear Brother

                        I have but just recd your letter though it was written on the 25^th of June On that day (the 26^th June) we left Cairo and came to this place—remained here until 3^d July when we moved by Rail to La Grange where we spent the 4^th and on the 5^th we started with Genl Smith on a raid through Northern Miss. We passed through Ripley, New Albany & Pontotoc to Tupelo reaching the latter place on the evening of the 13^th. On the 14^th we were attacked by Gen Forrest and after four or five hours fighting the retreated leaving near 400 dead & over 100 wounded They carried off all their slightly wounded. their total loss was probably 1500 or 1800 killed wounded & prisoners. ours was about 350. Our Regt was engaged all through the battle We lost in our Regt 4 killed (one of them a Capt) and 40 wounded mostly slightly. We had 9 from our Regt so badly wounded that we had to leave them when we returned as it would have caused their death to move them We got back to La Grange Tenn on the 21^st. All the time we were gone we could hear nothing from the world outside our camp could neither get or write letters we rested but one day while out & marched from 5 to 20 miles every day through deep dust & in as warm weather as I ever experienced. Col Faulkner & 8 other Rebels were killed in the battle their loss in officers was heavy. All reports about the negroes doing all the fighting—which are common in the papers—are false. They were not in the main battle at all what little fighting they did have to do they did well. but while / troops are disgusted with such reports they are willing to fight with them & share the honors with them when they are entitled to any but they object to doing the hard fighting and seeing their victories paraded as victories by the Rebel negroe troops. We expect to start on another expedition soon in what direction is not known to us. It seems to be the determination to use every man and do everything possible to break the Rebel power as much as possible this summer before the expiration of term of service of the hundred day troops. Since coming here I have had letters from Alex & Lewis written on 12 inst they were both well & had so far escaped the Rebel bullets though they were having men killed & wounded nearly every day. Neither Ed Rinaker or myself were touched in the late battle. Col is well stood the trip first rate. I rec’d a letter from Father yesterday and will answer soon as we get our camp settled.

 

I had hoped that we would all get to go home a few days this fall when our Regt would reenlist but now they do not feel inclined to do that thing They may however if we get to rest a few weeks I can write no more at present will write to Father soon

 

                                                                                                Your Bro. W. G. Replinger

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