Camp Near Pittsburg, Tenn. April 9^th

 

Dear Father:

                        On Friday night last, our pickets commenced skirmishing with the rebels. Little or no fighting was done on Saturday, but on Sunday morning, just at gray dawn the rebels charged in upon our camps, and in consequence the battle was opened. All day Sunday the battle raged fiercely, and from appearances and information the National troops were steadily driven back by the rebels. Gen. Wallace’s Division, of which the Nebraska 1^st is a part, moved forward to the scene of action on Sunday, arriving upon the battle field at dark Sunday night. This division was immediately placed on the right in front. On Monday morning at daylight the right wing was engaged. Steadily we advanced, driving the enemy back slowly but surely all day. They fought like demons. being infe and stood their ground manfully. (Every rebel soldier and prisoner had his canteen filled with whiskey, with powder mixed in.); but they could not stand the true courage and constant advance of our soldiers. Everywhere we whipped them, no matter how fiercely or chivalrously they fought. Late Monday afternoon the enemy were becoming exhausted, and were being driven back by our troops rapidly. From 4 till Their arms and several of their cannon fell into our hands, they being completely routed. The road to Corinth was strewn with their arms, clothing, and every thing that would in any / way impede a person from their making a rapid flight.

 

            About 8 p.m., as the Nebraska 1^st was advancing and repulsing the enemy, I received a minie ball in my left arm which passed entirely through and out the arm, just below the elbow, fracturing the bone, and leaving making quite a hole. I do not think I shall lose the arm, but hope to be ready for duty again in a reasonable time. I am doing very well and receiving the best of attention at which a camp admits of. The weather has very unpleasant, cold and rainy the past week, and every night we are drenched with the rain, having no tents with us. Our men stand the exposure and hardships most gallantly; but the rebels are badly cut up and terribly scared. The loss on both sides has been immense, and this has been the great battle of the war. The Union forces could not have numbered less than 40,000 men, well equipped and ordered, while the rebels numbered at the lowest calculation 87,000 men. Our loss in killed and wounded will exceed 3,000 men, and the enemy’s will far exceed ours. For miles in all directions the woods and fields are filled with the dead and wounded and the appearances of a great and destructive battle are evident in all directions.

 

            Most of our troops fought like veterans, and our reg’t stood all day in the midst of a hail of shell, shot, and musketry. Balls and pieces of shell fell upon us like rain, and it is a miracle the right was not cut to pieces. but Most of the balls passed over us, the a shell passing through the air with a howl / like caterwauling. A ball whizzing by with a hum, whizzing, or a buzz, according to the distance it it was from one’s ear, and the musketry and grape cut boughs from the trees in all directions. T

 

            The ambulances have been busy ever since Monday gathering up the dead and wounded. Beauregard is said to have been wounded in the thigh, at least this and Braxton Bragg is killed. Beauregard’s Body Guard, the Orleans Guards, the crack corps of the Tenth, was cut terribly cut up, and many of them taken prisoners. I

 

            I am too weak from the loss of blood and the pain of my wound to write myself, and dictate this to my fellow soldier, Mr. Daugherty. In a few days I hope to be able to write you myself. I have not as yet determined about going down the river with the wounded, but shall probably move right on to Memphis with the army. Love to all. From your affectionate son.

 

                                                                                    John McCenihe

                                                Captain Company G. 1^st Nebraska Volunteers.

 

P.S.—Judge McCenihe: Sir—I write the above for the Captain, your son, who is quite weak, and at his solicitation. He is doing as well as could be expected, and we try to give him all the attention possible. He was wounded while gallantly leading his company in a charge. Our 1^st Lieut received a shot in the right shoulder, but did not hurt him seriously, the ball being spent. Yours respectfully                            L[?] Daugherty.

 

as I write under difficulty please excuse this poor pensilling.            Company G.

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