Hd. Qrs. 1^st Div. Cav.Corps

Army of the Ohio

Near Mossy Creek, Tenn.

January 7, 1864—

 

Dear Father

                        We are still in the front—in line of battle as it were—with Longstreets Army between here & Bull Gap.

 

Report says that he is going into winter quarters, then report says again that he is moving over into N. Carolina. Our inaction is beyond my comprehension—our force is, without doubt, heavy enough to crush him, or drive him from the State, still, here we lay—on short rations, short forage, men right out in this freezing weather and all inaction.

 

If this Div. was in better condition for an active campaign I should regret this inaction very much; as it is, it seems to me that something is wrong that more is not accomplished. It is hard to tell however, for only those who move the Army know what plans are on hand & what obstacles lay in the way of more active movements. /

 

The Presidents Proclamation of pardon to the rebels is bringing forth good fruit and will continue to do so if we can only get it within their their lines so that they may know of it. Deserters come in rappidly from the enemies lines & they all have the same story of discontent & a willingness to give up if they were only sure of not being punished.

 

It is reported—& I think is truly—that, a number of rebels came in the other day bearing a flag of truce desiring to know if pardon would be extended to their regt.—officers & men—if they should come into our lines & give themselves up. They were loaded with proclamations & sent back.

 

Unless our Armies meet with some serious drawbacks it certainly looks as though the rebellion was drawing to a close. May God hasten the time!

 

            Our Hd. Qrs. are in a fine large brick house—rebel owner—we occupy the parlor, back room back of it & the kitchen. The house has been plundered—I am ashamed to say, four different times by our troops—the last time was a few days since at the time of the fight here, when the people had all left from fear of the shells. the villains tore into & took everything they wanted—every blanket; all / the provisions &c. &c. since then the female portion of the family have remained away.

 

            We have had some quite cold weather lately & to-day it snowed enough to whiten the ground. The poor soldiers must suffer exposed in their their shelter tents (what few have them) and their rations consist of only bread & meat. Our Div. Com'sy. is after rations & we look for Coffee, Sugar, beans &c.

 

            We have been able to get a little Coffee & sugar for Hd. Qrs. & manage to get butter occasionally, this with plenty of corn dodger & meat—with sorgum molasses keep us in good condition. My servant—a Mississippi slave who ran away from his master in Longstreets Army, over near Knoxville—does the cooking & he does it well. He also washes my clothes. His name is Dave Barney & is no body's fool if his skin is black.

 

            I have plenty of clothing, plenty to eat, enough to do to keep me in good spirits & I am thankful to God that I am as well off as I am.

 

            Col. Stockton I understand has a leave of absence again, Lt. Lowries resignation has been accepted so also Qr. Mr. / Smiths. Capt. Goodwin has sent in his, with several Lieuts. Now I do not want to leave the service as long as the war lasts and if my application, or rather that of Genl. Sanders, for my commission of Capt. & A.A.G. should fail I would like promotion in my own regt. if I must remain there. Col. Wolford is commanding this Div. but it is not customary for Colonels to command Divisions long & he may be superseeded by some Brigadeer any time & then I would be compelled to go to my regt., in all probability. I was thinking that as I am the oldest 1^st Lt. (by commission) in the regt. & am thus entitled to promotion to Capt. to fill one of the vacancies, whether I had not better not take it provided nothing prevents. Colonel Wormer has offered me the position several times & I think Col. Stockton would be in favor of it. They are both at home now & if they saw fit could get my commission from the Gov. If it is done the Com. should be dated back, I think, from the time that I have been acting as Capt. viz. since leaving Stan- / ford Ky. Aug. 19. 1863—or since Oct. 29 '63 when I reported to Genl. Sanders for duty. My Commission as Capt. would not interfere with my present position or with the one of A.A.G. What do you think of it?

 

If it meets your approval, please speak to Col. Stockton & Lt. Col. Wormer about it & get them to put the matter through, or if they will give you the papers you can get it through with Gov. Blair.

 

            I do not much fancy the condition of the 8^th Mich. but am in hopes that an opportunity will be given to fill it up & that the culling out of some of its present officers will make it better than it has been. As regards fighting they are all right.

 

            The papers which you send me are about all that we have at Hd. Qrs. and are a source of much gratification. Anything in the reading line N.Y. Chicago or any other papers are acceptable.

 

            I have not had time since my desk came up to answer any letters. Tell Mother & Mary not to wait but write a poor fellow.

 

The last letter I recd. was from you dated Decr. 5^th & came to hand on the 4^th inst. /

 

I think of you much & long for this "cruel war" to be over that I might get to my proffession again & be with you all. But home is no place for single men or any man that can go into the Army, so I am content to remain, and if it is Gods pleasure, lay my life upon the altar of my Country. It ought to be & is the sweetest death for a patriot. If it were not for you all at home the result, or the chances of war, would not trouble me at all. I think, as it is, I shall always try to do my duty, go where duty calls & leave the result with the All Powerful. I think of your prayers when going into a battle & they give me strength & composure. I have often thanked God for such parents.

 

            Tell Howard I will try & get to his letter before long, he is not forgotten. Do you grow, old boy? and do you learn all play, or some books?

 

                        Love to you all—

                        Kind regards to all friends.

                                                Your son

                                                            Watson

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