Camp New Madrid, Mo.,
April 12, 1862.
I have the extreme happiness to inform you that there is at
last a hope of my dating the next letter from Memphis or vicinity. Our regiment
has for several days been alone at Point Pleasant and we enjoyed it very much.
When we are under a general of an infantry division we are run to death or
thereabouts, for whenever anything is to be done the cavalry is sure to be
called on. Yesterday we were ordered to report here immediately to General
Granger, commanding cavalry division which numbers full 4,000. There are two
brigades in this division; Colonel Kellogg commands the 1st brigade and
therefore is now a brigadier general. There have been about 25 steamboats
arrived here since 4 p. m. yesterday and the army will probably commence
embarking to-day. It will take full 60 boats to hold us all. The rain has been
falling in torrents ever since we started from the Point yesterday, and you can
imagine the time we had pitching tents in a cornfield, and yet we are
comfortable now as we can wish. I have faith to believe that they (or anybody
else) can't keep me from being comfortable under any circumstances, if my hands
are loose and I can walk. I think that Pope's hurry is caused by his fear that
Grant and company will reach Memphis before him. We hardly think that the
Rebels will make a stand at Pillow, Randolph or Memphis if the news from
Corinth is correct. I'm almost afraid to look over the list of dead that fight
was made. Sid. says he is sure Billy Stockdale is killed. We received papers of
the 10th last night but are not sure the victory is a complete one yet. I can't
think of the point where the enemy will make another stand i they are
perfectly whipped at Corinth.
I know as many people here as in Fulton, almost, and I have
yet to hear the first insulting speech or word to me; “What are they going to
do with Island No. 10 I wonder; I am afraid that Commander Foote and his
gunboats are a humbug!” Aren't you ashamed of that speech? Damn the New York Tribune.
I do believe in, McClellan and nearly all the rest of our leaders. If those
Tribunes, big and little, were where any regiment in this army could get at
them they wouldn't stand fifteen minutes. McClellan knows his business and we
don't know a thing about it. Now old Pope here is as mean a man as ever lived,
curses every man that comes within a hundred yards of him and nobody knows a
thing of his designs, but we all have the utmost confidence in him. I've never
seen him and wouldn't go in sight of him for a horse, but he's my man
for a’ that.
Orders have just arrived for embarking this p. m. Will be
under way down the river to-night Wish us a pleasant voyage.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 81-2
No comments:
Post a Comment