Batesville Ark.  May 23

 

My Dear Father

            We were ordered here some five days ago – and Co’s. I & K were then ordered to escort the 2d Ohio Battery to Little Rock. we started in a delugeing rain but after going some 10 miles the streams had risen so that we were unable to cross and consequently returned. The men composing this Battery are mostly from Ashtabula Co. – save one man from Middle Ridge.

 

            I have just returned from a foraging Expedition 50 men and 204 Horse Teams was gone two days. Corn is scarce – Had no adventures – was 24 hours without anything to eat. Tell the women I shant grown about, (hereafter) bad cooking or late dinners. Think about going to the Creek and wetting up some flour, something like dough, without salt, placing it on the end of a stick and into the fire, making a dinner, breakfast and supper out of a piece of this about the size of your fist. – then lie under the wagon on the fence corner over night in the rain. I have yet to hear a word of complaint from any one, although the men have endured more than this in cold freezing weather.

 

             A large part of Genl Curtis force is returning from its position on the Little Rock road, it also being unable to continue the march on account of high water. – Sufficient force will reach, or has reached, the high lands beyond the stream, to occupy Little Rock and possess the River and surrounding country.

 

            The Gen appears to be waiting the result of the approaching engagement at or near Corinth – nothing has reached us concerning what is being done in the East it is rumored that Richmond was occupied by our forces. – we are expecting news every hour.

 

            My Negro boy Henry is dead. – he had the intermittent fever and died before I was hardly aware anything was the matter – I had never seen one sick before and could not tell anything about him. He couldnt look pale and didnt complain much until it was too late. The Surgeon did all he could for him. – I am afraid my Horse will cherish his memory longer than any of his fellow creatures.

 

            We have just now been ordered across the River. (our company) for Picket duty. – but we cant go till morning as the Ferry will be in use till dark. It is now ½ past 2 pm and raining hard

Our company affairs are still in an unsettled state.  Mr. Cherrie has been returned to duty – but is not relieved of the chgs. that is they still stand against him and he has to appear for trial when the court is detailed.- I still am of the opinion that it will be all right with him

 

The Capt. got drunk again at Jacksonport and I filed some more chgs against him. – Genl Curtis has since circumscribed his perambulations to the limits of the camp, and has besides ordered that while on the March he ride at the rear of the command. which I noticed has had a tendency to make his feathers droop.

 

We expect the trial to take place here soon. – I have about made up my mind to resign if he is returned. I do not know how it will be, there are a great many officers in the army that do not look upon such conduct as he is chgd with in a very serious light.

 

The fact is that many of them are not altogether exempt. – Before dismissal an officers efficiency & the good of the service are taken into consideration.  The Col says he will do his utmost to have him dismissed which goes a great way.

 

            My health is still excellent. – I am really highly favored not having yet lost a day from sickness. I have cause to be thankful for being so excepted – while stout, rugged, hard fisted fellows are constantly on sick list and being hauled around in the Ambulances or left in the Hospitals to die of disease of the blue-devils.

 

            I have rec.d no letters since that of Ellen & Joanna’s am expecting (as always) some the next mail.

 

            Hope this will find you all well.  As would naturally be expected I would be highly gratified to take you all by the hand once more but I would rather remain in the service until the War is over, peace restored and our Country preserved in its original integrity. This I trust will take place ere long.  The Rebels by this time are pretty well assured that Uncle Samuel is quite a Boy if not more so, and are ready to concede that the dynasty of King Cotton will soon be at an end

 

Love to all as Ever

Your Son

A. H. Griswold..

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