Colonel Lyons.
Stevenson, Ala., Oct. 18th, 1863—It has rained for several days. The roads from here to Chattanooga are terrible, and it is almost impossible to keep the army there supplied with provisions. Lieut. Wemple has just been there with a part of his company, to escort a drove of cattle. It took them six days to make the trip. They had to swim the streams at that. Our cavalry have driven Wheeler across the Tennessee river at the Muscle Shoals, and are now down that way at Flint River recruiting their horses, fifty or sixty miles west of here. The 5th Iowa Cavalry are with the expedition. Col. Lowe has command of a brigade. They will be up here in a few days.
Yesterday we celebrated the 2nd anniversary of the 13th’s enlistment, it having been originally mustered on the 17th of Oct., 1861. We ate large quantities of cove oysters on the occasion, at the Alabama House, a dirty, one-horse eating house here
The whole army of the Cumberland is being reorganized, and we do not know anything about where we shall be assigned. My opinion is that there will be no general engagement here for some time to come, if at all.
We are led to believe that Sherman’s Corps from Vicksburg is on the way here, but we have no definite knowledge about it. The old 8th is in that corps.
Friday, 16th—Sunday, 18th—I went out to Catoosa Springs and to Mr. Shamblin’s and back to Camp.
18th. Moved on after breakfast. Passed through Jonesboro. Stopped and saw Dick Bail and Bishop. Both doing well. Camped about two miles west of town. The Batt. gave three cheers for Brough, 65,000 majority. At 3 P. M. Col. P., Lts. Hamlin, Houghton, Eggleston, McBride and self and 8 men started for Knoxville. Stopped three miles from Rheatown at good Union man’s house, tolerable supper and bed.
October 18 — We forded Broad Run this morning and marched to Bristoe. Immediately after we arrived there we put our guns in battery, and about noon we first saw the enemy in the distance, advancing on us slowly from the direction of Manassas. They advanced on us steadily and very cautiously, with their indispensable, everlasting line of dismounted sharpshooters in front.
They came on and on, but we reserved our fire until their line arrived within about four hundred yards of our position, when we opened fire on them with four pieces and repulsed them speedily, and they retired toward Manassas. We remained in battery till dusk, then moved back to Cattle Run and bivouacked for the night. Cattle Run is a small ditch with water in it that crosses the Orange and Alexandria Railroad a few miles south of Bristoe. From our position to-day we saw the village of Brentsville, the county seat of Prince William; it is situated about two miles east of Bristoe Station.
Knoxville, Tenn., October 18th, 1863.
Once more have my eyes been gladdened and my heart made to rejoice by the reception of love’s sweet messengers—letters from home. How anxiously have I watched and waited, and what a load has been removed by those grateful words, “Well as usual.”
But eighteen days is a long time to await tidings of those we love. Arrangements are being made to have our mail carried over the mountains on pack mules. When these arrangements are completed I think there will be more regularity.
We are encamped again near the city, awaiting whatever may turn up. The regiment is in excellent health and spirits. We have become accustomed to soldiers’ fare; nothing seems to affect us. There is a striking contrast between old troops and new. When in pursuit of the Rebels beyond Greenville, Wilcox’s men tired out and were withdrawn from the chase, while we pursued ten miles further. They are six and nine months men from Indiana.
I see by Northern papers that Rebel sympathizers hope to carry Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania in the coming election, and this hope nerves the Rebel leaders to make the most desperate efforts to hold out yet a little longer. They are doomed to disappointment. These states will give an overwhelming majority for the Union.
Sunday, 18th—The Thirteenth went up to Messenger’s ford on picket. We had our regular company inspection this morning. In the afternoon I went to the refugees’ camp to hear a colored man preach. There was a large number of negroes and they had a joyful time; their singing and shouting beat all that I have ever listened to. They were so happy that they did not cease shouting until after sundown.
Howtz. Battery, Md. Heights, Oct. 18, 1863.
Dear Friends:
Yours rec’d. Today has been an exciting one to us, there has been a big engagement ten miles from here; we have driven the rebs nearly ten miles towards Berryville, have been at it all day, and now I can hear the roar of the artillery; we are making every thing to resist the rebels. We may have a chance to show the “Johnnies” what we are made of. At last accounts, Meade was slowly working this way, covering Washington during the march; should not be surprised to see the Army of the Potomac at any time. In the late movements of the Army of the Potomac considerable stratergy was used; so far, we have got the best of it. I have no doubt Lee contemplates making another raid into Md. and Penn. I think the movement the rebels are making here now is to destroy the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. We have got a new Genl. now, his name is Sullivan, formerly with Genl. Grant as inspector Genl.; marched in to Vicksburg July 4th; he is a fine looking man and a son in law of Genl Kelly, who commanded here before the evacuation. There has been a lull in the battle for some time; but now the ball has opened again in good earnest. But they are working from us fast. We saved Frank’s phiz during the other march and shall try to, if we have to march again. The men have all gone out to work on the battery. This will probably stop all furloughs, so shall not get mine.
Monday.
Nothing new. Some say it is the advance of Lee’s army, others that the guerillas, combined, are trying to call us out and let Lee in. Lev.
Sunday, October 18.—Nearly all the wounded are doing well. We shall not lose near as many as we thought. We have a room with seven men in it, who have lost a limb each. It is a perfect treat to go into it, as the men seem to do little else but laugh. They are young men, and say to me, I must tell all the young ladies to come and see them, and that they will make excellent husbands, as they will be sure never to run away.
We have a wounded captain, named Desha, related to the family in Mobile of that name. He is from Kentucky, and a cousin of Professor Pickett, whom I met at Ringgold. I have been told he is one of the bravest and best men in our army. I was conversing with him one day relative to the ignorance of our men. He said there was no doubt it was very great, but not greater than that of the northerners. He had seen hundreds of letters from the people in the North, and they were not only illiterate, but vulgar. This I have often heard said before.
Dr. B. is as kind as ever to the patients. He is constantly going around inquiring if they get enough to eat, and is using every means to get plenty for them. We get quantities of buttermilk, which is a great treat.
Dr. B. tells me he has over fifty relatives in the army, and he has not heard from them since the battle.
The president has just paid a visit to the Tennessee army; it is said for the purpose of making inquiries as to the dissatisfaction against General Bragg among his officers.
It seems that all his generals, excepting General Breckinridge, sent a petition to the president to have him removed. General Bragg has heard of it, and begged to be relieved, but the president refuses, as he says he does not know who to put in his place.
October 18.—This morning, General Imboden, with a portion of his rebel forces, having surrounded Charlestown, Va., garrisoned by the Ninth regiment of Maryland loyal volunteers, under Colonel Simpson, demanded its surrender. The demand was refused, and soon after another was sent in, informing the Colonel that time would be given to remove the women and children. The rebels then commenced the attack, throwing shells into the town, killing one man and severely wounding the adjutant of the regiment. In a short time the Nationals surrendered and the town was occupied by Imboden’s forces. As soon as information of the capture reached General Sullivan, in command at Harper’s Ferry, he despatched a force under Colonel G. D. Wells, of the Thirty-fourth Massachusetts, who succeeded in routing and driving the rebels from the town, with a loss of thirty killed and wounded, and twenty-one prisoners. The Union loss was ten killed, three wounded, and three hundred and seventy-nine captured.—(Doc. 188.)
—Thirteen officers belonging to General Sedgwick’s corps were captured in detail this afternoon, while strolling in the woods near headquarters, by rebels concealed in the undergrowth.—Jefferson Davis arrived at Selma, Ala., this evening, and was welcomed by the citizens en masse. “An immense crowd gathered in front of the hotel. The President congratulated the people on meeting them under such favorable circumstances, and spoke in glowing terms of the gallantry of Alabamians on every battle-field. He said if the non-conscripts of Alabama would gather their guns and go to the rescue, by guarding Courtland and other points, thereby relieving regular soldiers, who .are now from necessity discharging that sort of duty, such blows would be dealt the enemy as he would find it difficult to recover from. In this way most effective aid could be given the gallant men and officers who are carrying out the plans of the noble Longstreet under the supervision of the heroic Bragg. In this way the President was confident that Rosecrans could be crushed to dust. It was only by force of arms that the Yankees could be brought to reason and their plans for our subjugation defeated. Self-reliance and energy was now our duty. We should not look to Europe for aid, for such is not to be expected now. Our only alternative was to sustain ourselves with renewed energy and determination, and a little more sacrifice upon the part of the people, and the President firmly believed that next spring would see the invader driven from our borders. Then farmers, who are now refugees, could return to their families and pursue their business undisturbed as heretofore. In fact, he believed that the defeat of Rosecrans would practically end the war.”—Mobile Register, October 19.
