Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn.,
March 31, 1863.
I have lost my
negro, Bob. The cavalry have been indulging in a pretty rough fight near here,
and I am engaged on a “Board of Survey” which will occupy me for some days to
come. There is also a good quality of Scotch ale in town, no paper collars, and
a great deal of robbing and scoundrelism generally. There is some kind of a
scare along the line, and the authorities this morning shipped to Memphis some
600 negroes, to get them out of the way of the trouble. I made my Bob send his
wife and children, and the scamp, when it came to the parting, couldn't resist
her pleading, and so he joined the party. It is beautiful to see such an exhibition
of love and constancy in the brute species. All of these Africans will
undoubtedly be sent to Illinois or somewhere else. I declare I don't like to
see them introduced into our State, for they increase like rabbits. I believe
will eventually outnumber the white race, in any country in which they are
planted. This matter of slavery is an awful sin and I'm satisfied debases the
governing race, but if we have to keep these negroes in the country, I say keep
them as slaves. Take them from secesh and turn them over to Unionists, but
don't free them in America. They can't stand it. These negroes don't average
the ability of eight-year-old white children in taking care of themselves.
There are exceptions of course; arm all the latter and make them fight Rebels.
They will probably be fit for freedom after a few years as soldiers. I received
the Register with the letters from our regiment and Peterson's dressing
of the Democrat. ’Tis jolly to throw stones at that paper. You see if they all
don't get their fingers burned by that foulmouthed Davidson. A decent man has
no business talking against him, and will always come out behind. I am sure
that he would be hung if he would venture within our regimental lines. One of
my boys cut a great caper to-day. He is an old Dutchman, and has been aching
for a fight ever since we left Peoria. He has told me several times that he had
a mind to run off and go down to Vicksburg until the fight is over and then he
would come back again. This morning I sent him to Lafayette (near Memphis) as
guard for these contrabands. The old fellow went on to Memphis and I expect
will be at the Vicksburg battle. I know that he won't leave me for good, though
this act makes him liable to punishment as a deserter. He is a funny old dog
but an excellent soldier. For goodness sake send me those shirts. All I have
sewed together wouldn't more than make one long enough to reach the top of my
pants. Any one of them would fly out over my coat collar if I'd stoop down.
About 100 of the
6th Illinois Cavalry were surprised night before last some 20 or 30 miles north
of this place. The first notice they had of the enemy was a volley of balls and
shot among them as they lay asleep by their bivouac fires, about 12 p. m. Eight
were killed and about 25 or 30 wounded by the first fire. The 6th got up and
went into the Rebels in a most gallant manner, killing and wounding a number
and capturing a major, two captains and some others. The enemy numbered some
400, and had the advantage of a complete surprise and were then badly whipped.
The 6th boys deserve infinite credit for their fighting, and their colonel, a
rope for his carelessness. He fought like a hero, though. ’Twas Lieutenant
Loomis. I don't believe that Napoleon had any better cavalry than this brigade
here for fighting. Second Iowa, 6th and 7th Illinois are the regiments, and
well handled they'd whip the devil. Just imagine the details of the above
fight, and if you can't help thinking that every one of our men engaged was a
hero, I'll disown you. I'll tell you a couple of items to show you how the war
is being conducted here now. A train was captured a few miles west of here a
few days ago, and three prisoners taken, carried off. A lieutenant among them
was footsore and unable to keep up; one of the Rebels, for that reason alone,
shot him through the head, killing him. The conductor of the train surrendered,
but a Rebel after that shot at him three times, when the conductor concluding
it was death anyway attempted to escape and succeeded. This morning I saw a
crowd across the street and walked over. Some secesh prisoners had been brought
in, among them the conductor had discovered the man who tried to kill him. The
conductor tried hard to get to kill the scoundrel, but the guard prevented him.
I tell you, if any of that stripe of fellows fall into my hands, you'll have a
brother who has been concerned in a hanging scrape. I'm as decided on that
point as I know how to be. I don't see any prospect of an immediate fight in
this country. There is no force except a few hundred guerrillas within 50 miles
of us, but General Smith uses every precaution. We are all under arms an hour
before daylight, and the picketing is very systematical and good. The pickets
are, however, annoyed more or less every night. These citizens are bringing
immense bills of damages before our board. Three came in to-day amounting in
the aggregate to $50,000, and more I think. To-morrow General Smith closes the
lines at this post. No more going in or out by citizens. That is the best thing
that has happened before my eyes during the war. The town has been full of
citizens every day since we have been here, and of course they are all spies.
SOURCE: Charles
Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 166-8
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