Headquarters, Left Wing
16th Army Corps,
Lagrange, Tenn.,
June 7, 1863.
We had occupied our very pleasant quarters but two days when
an order came for us to pack up for Vicksburg. Received the order at dark and
by daylight the next morning we were in Lagrange. General Oglesby had moved his
headquarters here and he gobbled me without a moment's warning. The regiment
moved on for the doomed city yesterday and left me. Now don't write me any of
your “glads,” for I'm almost demoralized over the matter. Am uneasy as the
d----. The idea of leaving just when I know that the regiment is moving on to a
fight doesn't look at all right; but then I'm where I'd rather be than at any
other place in the army, and suppose that other chances will be offered for
fighting. If the general had entirely recovered from his wound, I am sure that
we would leave this railroad guarding business to some one of less importance
in the field, but he is hardly able to stand an active campaign yet. Sam
Caldwell, Major Waite and myself compose the staff now and it is so pleasant.
It's “Sam” “Waite” “Charley” and “general.” I have been east on the railroad
to-day looking at the defenses of the road. ’Twill be completed to Corinth by
Wednesday next, when the road to Jackson and from here to Corinth will be
abandoned. We've had another scare here to-day. Some 800 Rebels within a few
miles of us. One of the cars on which our regiment was loaded flew the track
yesterday, and one man was killed and several hurt. None of my company, or that
you knew.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 180-1
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