Provost Marshal's Office,
4th Division,
Army of the Tennessee,
near Tallahatchie, Miss.,
December 8, 1862.
Still we tarry by the wayside anxiously awaiting the order
to move forward. We did provide three days' rations once, but devoured them
without leaving camp. Two divisions, McKean’s and Ross’, have left here, while
the remainder of the army has pushed onward. We hear of the advance skirmishing
50 miles in front of us. Think the main force is at Oxford, about 25 miles from
here. We're probably waiting for the railroad to be repaired so that supplies
can be furnished us when we move. The retreating Rebels destroyed every culvert
and bridge as they fell back, and it of course takes time to rebuild so many. The
road is not yet in running order to Holly Springs, and everything has to be
wagoned to the army, which but a very little rain in this country makes
impossible. We suffered three days of cold, drizzling rain last week which most
effectually blockaded the roads, but the last three days have been beautifully
clear, etc., and travel is again resumed. We will change camp to-morrow to
improve our water facilities, probably moving four or five miles back toward
Holly Springs. One mile northward is harder to travel than 10 in the opposite
direction. My whole company is detached from the regiment as provost guard. It
relieves us from picket duty, fatigue, etc., gives us officers' quarters in a
house (there are a sofa, two rocking chairs, soft-bottomed chairs, a library,
feather bed, etc., in the room I am now writing in and occupy). I've soldiered
long enough to never refuse these little good things Providence throws in my
way. The detail is permanent, but suppose I can get back to my regiment when I
feel disposed. The 7th Cavalry had a little skirmish in front a day or two
since; Coe, and a number of others were taken prisoners. Nelson was a prisoner
once, I hear, but was retaken by his men, or the 2d Illinois Cavalry. Rumor has
it to-day, that our forces have possession of Jackson, Miss., and have captured
3,000 of General Holmes' Army, which was attempting to reinforce Pemberton.
Don't think the rumor worth doubting, unless McClernand has got within striking
distance. Can't hear a word from his expedition. Wonder what the deuce Banks is
going to try to do. Hope we won't fool away his time and the lives of his men
in Texas. We've had enough of those coast expeditions. The one under Butler was
the only one that paid expenses. Burnside is beaten badly. Will bet that another
change of base will be necessary before Richmond is ours. We're out of all
patience with that army. We are slow enough in all reason, but they certainly
beat us crawling, wonderfully, making slowness the gage. Our men are using this
country awfully rough. Such animals as chickens, fences, swine, etc., are
entirely unseeable and unfindable within 15 miles of where our camp has been
this last week. This alone is not so bad; but if you wink at this amount of
license in soldiers, they go farther and insult and almost scare to death women
and children, all citizens indiscriminately. Guess that 'tis the intention of
the general commanding to reform this matter. Says he is going to hold company
officers responsible for the conduct of their men and punish officers, not
soldiers, hereafter for outrages committed. I send my boys out as patrols, and
whenever they catch a man with poultry or meat of any kind they relieve him
thereof, take him under guard to his regimental commander, and Company G eats
up the chickens or pork, or potatoes, of course; so you see this provost duty
is not so bad as it might be on us. I have also in my charge 35 Rebel
prisoners, Louisianians and North Carolinians. Price had three Kentucky
regiments, but they have nearly all deserted him, hundreds have taken the oath
at different points along our line and gone to their homes. I have an old negro
here now that I wish I could send to you to cut the wood and do your errands.
He is 63 years old, but is good for twenty years yet.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 133-4
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