Chronological History of the American Civil War

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but have taken the oath and we are bound to protect them. But if Price comes in I guess there will be some hustling and perhaps we shall be of that party but hope not. Our company with 4 others of our Regiment, one Regiment of Cavalry and another of Infantry went with them. We expect they will meet the enemy before they get back. I had previously taken a tramp of 25 miles rising from

a sick bed at that and so I thought I would not go – not having fully recovered. I think I shall soon be able to resume my duties. I have been very healthy since I have been in the service. Not been sick but a very few days till within 6 weeks past. Our first Lieutenant has been sick for 8 weeks. The Captain was home on a furlough sick, so I had considerable on my shoulders and kept me at work too hard out. As long as I was in good health, I did not mind it but finally I was unable to perform the work of 3 officers and was obliged to give up when our Captain hearing of it, immediately returned to the Company and I have been resting for a few

days. Our first Lieutenant has been trying to get a furlough for 20 days but cannot as our Generals are very particular at this place unless a person was on a death bed he cannot get leave of absence. But he is getting better now and will soon recover, and we shall be running along in regular order again. We are all expecting that the grand army of the Potomac will soon be going into Winter quarters again. Then we shall be obliged to lay in camp another winter, dig trenches, build fortifications and perhaps one year from now be as far ahead as at the present time. The last year has shown but little gain. We have driven them, and they have driven us. Our forces have marched and counter-marched and marched again but all to but little purpose. We have gained comparatively nothing. The rebels rest on the Potomac in the face of Washington. They menace Kentucky and hold the border free state inhabitants in check and keep them in a continual state of fear and excitement. They threaten Tennessee and throw wild consternation over her territory. Corinth expects to meet them again and is in doubt as to the result. So, we all stand amazed at the horrid sacrifice of America’s noblest sons and are shocked at the torrent tide of crimson gore that has so freely flown from the veins of our fellow beings. Yet with all these millions upon millions and billions upon billions of dollars have been spent and it will take like figures to enumerate the destruction of property and yet, where are we? I will arrive just where we were 8 months ago. Is the fault in the men – NO they are ready to go and to fight when they can have an opportunity, but the Generals say we must not fight for we would surely annihilate them and that will never do. We want to compromise; we want to counsel and consult with them…prolong the war till everybody gets disgusted with it and party favorites are worked into office enough to carry the day--then and not till then will our Generals have accomplished what they have set about. But here I am on war and politics again censuring many a noble-hearted officer perhaps. The health of our Regiment is good; we have but one sick in our Company; we have very good Doctors of the old mercurial style which you know our family discarded long, long ago. Our head Surgeon is said to be excellent for amputating limbs of which he looks the part and had a good deal of practice after the last battle. He worked as cool as if he had been cutting up beef. I hope he never may get hold of me although I would as soon have him as any one. Our Chaplain renders us very efficient aid in attending to our mail. I presume he is a good man; he ought to be to hold the position that he does with a large salary. We have a fine band with silver instruments