Chronological History of the American Civil War

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A very haunting letter through the eyes of one who was there…

CIVIL WAR LETTER HOME FROM BATTLE FRONT BOLIVAR TN ~ Battle of the Hatchie WISCONSIN CO. E 12TH REGIMENT LIEUTENANT J.H. THAYER MARLBORO, VERMONT

Written October 2-25, 1862 -- Mailed October 28, 1862

Dear Parents, Brothers and Sisters

I have not heard from you in a long while. Thinking the best way to set you talking is to write you. We have been stationed at Humboldt for three months. Had easy times with some guard duty to perform but not any more than enough to keep us in military time. We were called out

by the long roll and expected a fight several times but the enemy were afraid to come near enough to meet us, so we passed along very well, were generally healthy, had plenty of fruit and sweet potatoes and fared first-rate—but the fight at Corinth that you have heard about called us away October 5th at midnight. We took the cars and rode to this place (50 miles) lay down in the dirt— took a nap and the next night at 6 o’clock P.M. we started from this place on a forced march of 25 miles to reinforce Hurlburt on the Hatchie river who was engaging Price and Van Dorn with a force of 18,000 men.

The afternoon we left we could distinctly hear the incessant booming of cannon and knew by courier that they were having a hard fight. After marching all night at a quick pace, we arrived on the battlefield the next morning at 8 o’clock just in time to witness the burying of the dead and the gathering of the wounded. [Oct 28] The heads, legs, arms and shattered fragments of the dead and living lay scattered “profusely on the ground” in all directions. Ambulances and nurses, Surgeons and Hospital stewards were busy attending to the wants of the sufferers, yet the groans of the dying and the shrieks of the wounded could not wholly be suppressed by the kindest care. Yet many a patriot’s sufferings were ended on that eventful day which was plainly evidenced by the newly raised mounds in every direction. The battle of the Hatchie although not so murderous and extensive as others should not pass unnoticed in the historical records of this rebellion. Although we did not get there in time to render much aid, yet I saw enough to turn with displeasure, horror and disgust from the battle field and unless it is necessary I never wish to engage in a murderous battle. Yet our Nations honor must be vindicated if it costs millions of lives and tens of millions of treasures.