Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Claysville, Ala., June 26, 1864.—I have sent two expeditions across the river the past week, one under the Adjutant to Guntersville, and one under Captain Blake into the country a few miles below here. They captured quite a number of horses and mules, and Captain Blake captured two rebel officers—Captains, I think. They encountered no armed force. The Adjutant captured a rebel mail, containing many papers and letters. I send you two of these specimens. The letters are of no military importance. Most of them were written by privates in Johnson’s and Lee’s army, and the writers all think that they are whipping us badly at all points. The tone of all the rebel papers is very sanguine of ultimate success. Never was any people so blind to their real condition as is this people. One fellow writes in May from somewhere in this State to his father that Lee has just defeated Grant in a great battle, and that our losses amount to 100,000 killed, wounded and prisoners, while the rebel loss is but trifling.
The hot weather is upon us. This morning is clear and still, and the sun lets us know that we are ‘down South.’ Standing at noon with my back to the sun, my shadow falls just two inches beyond the toes of my boots. I am perfectly well, but I make as little exertion as possible during the day. The nights are comfortable.
My regiment is so scattered, and therefore weak at any given point, that although there is no force of the enemy very near any part of our line, yet I can but feel constant anxiety. Indeed, I think I am leading a more anxious life than ever before in the service. The fact is, we are doing the duty and bearing the responsibility that ought to be divided between two regiments. I find that I have a good horse, and I ride much more than I ever did before. I can not realize that I have been in Wisconsin within three months. I never felt so isolated in my life.
