Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon

To Mrs. Lyon.

Fort Henry, Tenn., Wed. p. m., Nov. 12, 1862—We have but just arrived from our expedition. The mail is just going out and I have but time to say that I am well, having improved in strength rapidly since I have been gone. I got so I could ride on horseback all day. Morgan gave us the slip, but we ran upon Woodward, who has a band out there. There were 15 of their men killed. Our loss, two killed and a few slightly wounded. The killed were cavalry; the wounded, our men. The 13th are good fighters.

We marched 180 miles, went to Canton, La Fayette, Hopkinsville, Garretsburg (where the fight occurred), and Fort Donelson.

To Mrs. Lyon.

La Fayette, Ky., Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1862.—We are at La Fayette, Ky., 18 miles east of Fort Donelson, near the line of Tennessee. We have marched between forty and fifty miles. I feel first rate. Rode over yesterday and shall go on this morning. Do not think we shall get a fight, but we make the guerillas skedaddle, I assure you. Stop a week or more before we get back from camp. Weather beautiful.

We are holding an election this morning. Tell Mr. Parker that I have cast a vote for him. I send this by a train going back to Donelson. I ride on horseback, in the ambulance, and go on foot, about equal doses. I get along finely and improve rapidly.

To Mrs. Lyon.

Fort Henry, Tenn, 2 o’clock Thursday a. m., Oct. 30, 1862.—The celebrated guerilla chief, Morgan, is at Hopkinsville, Ky., about fifty miles north-east of us, with a force variously estimated at from 1,500 to 2,500. We expect to march in the morning in connection with forces from Fort Donelson and Paducah, under command of General Ransom, now in Paducah, to fight him, unless he runs away.

Colonel Lowe, the permanent commander here, who has been absent ever since I came, is between here and Paducah, and will be here tomorrow morning, or rather this morning, early; which will relieve me from the responsibility of commanding the expedition. I have, however, to make all the preliminary arrangements, and have been up all night issuing orders, telegraphing to Fort Donelson, Paducah and Columbus, and getting ready generally. The regiment knows nothing of the expedition yet, as I have not called them out. I am feeling first rate and in most excellent spirits. My only trouble is that my legs are rather weak and I can not ride much on horseback. I shall walk or ride in an ambulance mostly, and have no doubt but I shall stand the trip finely. We shall probably be gone a week. If we can clean out Morgan we break up guerilla operations in these parts and thus do the country and our sacred cause good service. It is time I called up my men, and must therefore close. Be a heroine, be calm, although danger may surround me, and trust in the kind Father of us all for safety and protection.

Thursday evening.—A variety of circumstances prevented us from getting off this morning, one of which was the failure of Colonel Lowe to return this morning. We have had an anxious day, fearing the boat was captured by the guerillas. We go in the morning down the Tennessee forty miles, and then across to the Cumberland, by land, of course, to Eddyville, thence to Hopkinsville. We meet General Ransom and the forces from below where we leave the river. The men are in high spirits, and so am I, in view of our expedition. We want to get these guerillas scattered before we feel quite willing to have our wives come to us. We hear this morning that Morgan has skedaddled. I celebrated my birthday by drilling my regiment in battalion drill for the first time.

To Mrs. Lyon.

Fort Henry, Tenn., Monday, October 27.—I do not dare to have you come until a little later. In the meantime I shall go on and get ready for you. If I can get lumber I shall build a little shanty. My tent has a good floor in it and so it is comfortable except in a cold wind. It is about the size of our parlor. We could get along very well in it, but perhaps better in a good board shanty. We had a snow storm Saturday. All went off the next day. The box came all right. The pickles and peaches I gave to the sick boys in the hospital. I am saving the cake till you come.

I had a letter from Augie Weissart, of Company K, from Corinth. He gives all the casualties of the battle.

To Mrs. Lyon.

Fort Henry, Tenn., Wed. a. m., Oct. 22, 1862.— There is a boat going down and I think I will write a few lines to let you know that I am well. We are having beautiful weather now, Indian summer days and cool nights. This morning we had quite a frost and but little fog. When these fogs disappear and the ague subsides it will be safe for you to come. I think that, we shall remain here the most of the winter.

To Mrs. Lyon.

Fort Henry, Tenn., Oct. 19, 1862.—We moved our camp yesterday upon better ground, one-fourth of a mile distant, all except the quarters of the field and staff officers, to be removed tomorrow; so, being isolated from the regiment, I am having a very quiet Sunday, indeed.

We are having beautiful Indian summer weather, with cool nights. The only drawback is the heavy fogs that gather along the river every morning, producing agues and intermittents among the men. Ten per cent of our men are reported sick, that is 60 out of 600, the number we have here. This will subside in a month or so, and then I think you must come here, provided things look as though we would remain for some time longer.

I am feeling perfectly well, and perform all my duties without difficulty, but find that I am far from having my old strength. I take the best possible care of myself, keeping out of the hot sun and out of the fogs as much as possible. You know it is the easiest thing in the world for me to keep out of a morning fog.

I have not given you any particulars of this command, and will do so now. This military district embraces Forts Henry, Heiman, and Donelson. By looking on the map you will see that Kentucky extends a few miles farther south on the west side of the Tennessee river than it does on the east side. Fort Heiman is in Kentucky, on the west bank of the river, close to the state line of Tennessee. Fort Henry is on the east bank of the river, about one-half mile below, or north, of a point opposite Fort Heiman. Fort Donelson is fifteen miles southeast of us, on the west bank of the Cumberland. These places are called forts, but the guns are all taken away but one or two, and they amount to nothing as fortifications. The district is commanded by Colonel Lowe, of the 5th Iowa Cavalry, who is said to be a careful, excellent officer. He has been absent ever since I came here, and so I have not seen him.

The forces at the three points are the 83d Illinois, 13th Wisconsin, four companies of the 71st Ohio, the 5th Regiment of Iowa Cavalry, and four pieces of field artillery; or, more correctly speaking, two sections, eight companies of the 83d and two of the cavalry and one section of artillery are at Donelson, and the balance of the force is here and at Heiman. In the absence of Colonel Lowe the district is under the command of Colonel Harding of the 83d, a rich old fellow from Illinois, with no military training whatever. He is as brave as Julius Caesar and is a grand man, and I am very fond of him. Last night I got a telegram from him ordering me to move this morning with all of my available force to Canton, thirty miles distant, thence to La Fayette, thirty miles farther, where we would be thirty-five miles from here. The commanding officer of the cavalry had received the same orders. The object of the expedition was no doubt to chase a band of thieving guerillas who infest the region of La Fayette, but who mounted on fleet horses always run at our approach. We knew that it was useless to go after them and that Colonel Lowe if here would disapprove of the expedition; so we held a council of officers to devise the best way ‘how not to do it.’ The result was that we sent a couple of smooth-tongued officers to Donelson to coax the old Colonel off the notion. They succeeded, and at two o’clock this morning the order to march was countermanded by telegraph. The only loss was part of a night’s sleep.

We are not in decently respectable peril here, and yet these posts must be held by somebody. Our greatest privation is want of mails. I have not heard a word from home since I left. I expect a mail tomorrow morning. You did right to have father go to Mauston to see and comfort poor suffering Katie and her family.

Since commencing this, four companies of my regiment have been ordered on a six-days’ expedition in the country.

To Mrs. Lyon.

October 15, 1862.—The river is still low and nearly isolates us from civilization. I am slowly gaining strength. I ride some, but find it rather fatiguing. The position of Colonel of a regiment is no sinecure, I assure you. I think that I shall earn my wages.

I see that those terrible battles of Corinth have struck close home. You have, of course, heard that Sperry Northup was killed. A letter from Andrews, the sutler, informs me that he was shot through the heart while skirmishing on Saturday morning, the 4th inst. Poor Katie and the children! My heart bleeds for them.

I see, too, that the 8th has lost heavily, but am without particulars, except that Lieut. Fellows of Company K is wounded, also two or three of the boys. There are doubtless many more of them hurt, but I have not seen the full list.

Although by coming to this regiment I have escaped a terrible peril, perhaps death, yet I almost regret that I was not with the brave boys that I led for a year, in the hours of their recent terrible peril. But God governs, and we may safely trust our destinies to Him.

There is no prospect of any fighting in this vicinity at present. There are a few ragged guerilla bands thirty or forty miles from here, but they run whenever our cavalry comes near them. It begins to look as though we should winter here. We are moving the camp a short distance to better ground, and I am making all my arrangements with reference to your coming. I have taken a little stock in the contraband line, having a man and his wife on trial. I think they will suit me. Their names are ‘Jerry’ and ‘Minerva,’ aged 32 and 27, respectively— no children. The wench is supposed to be the most ill looking one in the camp. She is washing for me today.

I think that I am rapidly gaining the confidence and respect of the officers and men of the regiment. I have really a very fine regiment, indeed. Almost the entire membership was recruited from residents of Rock county and closely contiguous territory, and embraces the best material in that favored portion of our state. A large number are either graduates from or students in Milton College. Company K, commanded by Captain Norcross, a graduate of the State University, is composed largely of members of this class. I feel honored to be assigned to the command of such men. As soon as I have strength I shall commence drilling it thoroughly, thus fitting it to fight if we are sent into the field. I shall make no effort to get into the field. That is a responsibility which I dare not assume.

To Mrs. Lyon.

Fort Henry, Tenn., Oct. 8, 1862.—I am just ready to commence my series of semi-weekly letters. I had a long trip, or, rather, took a long time to get here. I stayed in Chicago Thursday night, Friday night slept on the cars, getting to Cairo early Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon went to Mound City, returning to Cairo Sunday morning. Bought a horse for $150. Monday afternoon went to Paducah. Tuesday afternoon started up the Tennessee on a 7 by 9 steamboat, getting here early Wednesday morning. I met with a most cordial reception from everybody. I assumed command and held a dress parade last evening. There are but six companies of the regiment here. Two are at Donelson, one at Hickman, and one at Smithland.

We have a pleasant situation, and the Quartermaster pitched in yesterday and made me very comfortable. I have a large tent, with a good table, bedstead (all rough, of course) and many other little conveniences. I board at present with the Quartermaster and one of the Captains, and live well. I am constantly getting better. My cough and cold have entirely disappeared.

I am trying to get a good negro and wife and go to housekeeping. Would you like to call on us? It looks as if we might remain here for some time. There is no settlement here, nothing but troops, and not many of them. The main trouble is that the river is so low. But few boats come here from the outside world more than once or twice a week. This will account for any delay in the receipt of letters from me.

Write me all you know about the part the 8th took in the late fight at Corinth, also the 16th. I am very anxious to hear about it. I hope the 8th was not in, but suppose it was. The 16th must have been engaged. There is another battle I have lost by reason of my promotion.

After the river rises, so that boats run more freely on it, if it still looks like remaining here some time, I think you must try to come and see me, but I do not dare to have you bring the children. The river will probably rise in November.

To Mrs. Lyon.

Camp 16th Wis. Vol., near Corinth, Mon. a. m., Sept. 8, 1862.—I got away from the hospital Saturday night and came to Corinth yesterday morning. Sent word to Sperry, who came after me with an ambulance, took me first to General Grant’s headquarters, two miles out of town, and then brought me here. I found everything all right. Resigned as Captain, which was accepted, and I go to headquarters again today to be mustered as Colonel of the 13th.[1] This is only for convenience and to have my pay going on. It looks squally about my getting home, I am improving too rapidly for that. I leave tomorrow morning for Columbus. I met Captain Smith at Corinth yesterday. He says he heard in Cairo that the 13th had gone up the Tennessee river to Fort Henry. This is uncertain. Sperry is hearty.

(The 13th Regiment had gone to Fort Henry. One of the officers, Levi Billings, came home with Mr. Lyon, as he was then so feeble that they would not allow him to come alone. He stayed in Racine for three weeks, then went to Madison and was mustered in as Colonel of the 13th Regiment and joined the regiment at Fort Henry.)

[1] Not being able to get a leave of absence if I mustered as Colonel, I postponed the muster and returned home as a private citizen.—W. P. L.