In the field

Miss Apr. 28^th/62

 

            My darling Wife

                                    I mailed you a very hasty note at our last encampment Since we have advanced about four miles and are now within the state of Mississippi.

 

The weather is truly beautiful and I am quite well again but have not yet seen that fight I promised to tell you about Neither have I been on picket but am detailed for tomorrow So you may rest assured that no Generals will be surprised and carried off before breakfast.

 

There was quite a spirited skirmish in front of our camp this evening between pickets, resulting in three killed and six captured of the enemies and one severely wounded on our side I happened to be taking a walk at the time and wittnessed most of the affair. One of the prisoners attempted to escape after being taken but was soon overhauled and dismounted by a cavalry sabre. they are a vilianous looking set of cut throt Dogs, and undoubtedly belong to a gang that have been shooting our pickets every opportunity which is considered very dishonorable in warfare, but I have yet to see an instance of honorable conduct in a secessionist since they dishonored our flag every other meanness and crime comes easy to them. Nellie you know that I have always been conservative and am yet but my experience has driven every feeling of pity and sympathy for the South from my heart Their boasted Chivalry and bravery is all gammon I mean the leader and participants in the present Rebelion that there are good brave men in the South must be admitted but they are only found when forced in the Rebel Army but have to keep quiet at home for fear of being murdered by the ignoramuses and / erant cowards that constitute Beauregards Army. You think that we were “little better than whiped” in the late fight. My Dear Nellie although we gained no particular advantage it was a decided victory in our favor. if we had got the same advantage of them that they had of us on Sunday we would have them running yet, but I believe that there was a criminal neglect on the part of our Officers in allowing our troops to be surprised there is no danger of another such occurrence Nellie I received your note of 17^th inst today enclosing circular to call and see my friend Redington (formerly of Leighton) at the Billings House in Keokuk when I wanted to “put up” at a good Hotel please attend to the matter for me, will you Nell? I also received Alfreds Yauka Noleons please return him many thanks it was quite a treat in camp. Your Broome County Journal came to day but John carried it off and I have not yet had the pleasure of reading it. Nellie we are encamped in a very beautiful place and strong position in case we are attacked. My tent is shaded by one of the prettiest little groves I ever saw Yesterday and today is the first real rest I have enjoyed for a month. I have my camp cot and pillow and clothes enough to make me quite a comfortable bed Nellie my “family quilt” and pillow are nearly as good as when your Mother gave them to me nearly a year since and I assure you that I have offered up many a thankful prayer for her when they rested my weary limbs on my many hard marches. if nothing turns up I suppose that we will advance to another position day after tomorrow. There is a fortification reported at a creek four miles in advance of our present position. The roads are almost impassible for heavy Artillery which makes our movements necessarily slow.

 

My Boys are mostly in good health and getting along as well as I could wish. I believe that I mentioned in my last my advance in rank to “Color Company” I took the Colors and my position in line yesterday much to the chagrin of a couple of egotistical brother Officers who claim rank from the pryor date of their commissions. I was a Lieutenant when they were Captains. I commenced 9^th and am now 3^rd in rank in our Regt. I will explain to you some evening when we are together how every Officer of the same grade has his relative rank, and how a Regiment is formed according to rank of Captains and how the senior is entitled to take command in absence of field Officer forming divisions by Company &c. but if you wish to learn without my assistance I think you will find a volume of Tactics in my trunk. My dear wife I do hope that after we settle the little matter now before us I will have an opportunity to go home for a few days Cant you think of some plausible excuse with which I can approach “The Pope” (Genl)

 

Nellie your friend Jimie King gave me a beautiful little Rose today to send to you but some ruthless hand has destroyed or carried it away I am real sorry. I gave your regards to John and Col Smith and they wished to be remembered kindly in return Your friend Chaplain Haney is quite unwell today Also my Lieut. Davies has chills & fever every day but I firmly that he would die in road before he would remain behind or give up Ike has indomitable pluck and am very much attached to him—

 

Oh Nellie! Orders just came, we march at 3. Oclock it is now 11. I must close and get a little rest. I will write again the first opportunity. Dearest Nellie be hapy and take good care of your health. Please dont go to sing when it looks like rain, will you love? I pray fervently to Almighty God that he may protect and watch over my dear wife and speed my safe return, for myself I care not. Dear Nellie you are my all. God bless you—

 

                                                                                    Affectionately your husband

                                                                                                                        Fred

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