To Mrs. Lyon
Five miles above Pittsburg Landing, Miss., April 22, 1862.—We are still on the boat. I started out this morning to find the 16th Wisconsin, and after wading five miles, part of the way in mud nearly to my knees, I found it, and to my inexpressible joy found Sperry [Sperry Northrup, a brother-in-law] alive and well. They had a terrible fight on Sunday, the 6th, being under fire from sunrise to 5 o’clock p. m., and losing, killed, wounded and missing, at least 200 men. His company went in 59 strong and came out with 28 only. The roads for miles are full of troops. The trees are all cut up by the shot. The woods are full of graves. Governor Harvey was drowned a few miles below here Sunday night at Savannah.
We also visited the 18th. It was cut up more than the 16th, especially in officers. The Colonel, Major, acting Adjutant and several captains were killed, Lieut. Colonel badly wounded. The Lieut.-Colonel of the 16th, Cassius Fairchild, is badly wounded in the thigh. One of the last acts Governor Harvey did was to appoint Captain Gabe Bouck, Colonel, and me, Major of the 18th. I do not know that I shall accept. I think I will stay with Company K for awhile.
To Mrs. Lyon
On Steamer McClellan, New Madrid, Sat., April 19, 1862.—We take it for granted that we are going up to help fight another great battle, and, as I firmly believe, achieve a great victory. If we are victorious there it opens the road to Memphis, secures the opening of the Mississippi with but little more fighting, and virtually ends the war in the West.
When Chase and I were making speeches at flag raisings last spring, we told the ladies they must give up fathers and sons, husbands, lovers and brothers to their country, although it might wring the heartstrings to breaking. You have made this sacrifice with thousands of others. Let it be a cheerful sacrifice on your part. Believe, as I do, that I shall in due time return safely to you and our beloved children, and console yourself for my absence with the thought that never were men called from kindred, homes and friends, to hardships, privations, dangers and death, in a more sacred cause.
I am cheerful all the time, and it is the result of an ever-present, undoubting conviction that I am precisely where I ought to be. My greatest happiness consists in doing my duty and indulging in fond anticipations of the time when, the war being over, the Government restored, and our work well and faithfully done, I shall return to you and our sweet babes, and I will feel I am in Eden. God bless you and help you to bear your part of the weary burden that this war throws upon you with the unfailing courage of a Spartan matron, dreading more than his death the failing of your loved one to do his duty.
To Mrs. Lyon
April 18, 1862.—We remained at Tiptonville until yesterday afternoon, when we started and steamed down the river until dark, and then tied up to a tree, and this morning ran on down to a point said to be within ten miles of Fort Pillow, 20 of Fort Randolph and 70 from Memphis. There we were ordered back to New Madrid. We do not know the significance of this movement, but think the high water in the river prevents present operations against Fort Pillow. I think that when we get to New Madrid we shall find nearly all of General Pope’s army there.
To Mrs. Lyon
April 15, 1862, on board of steamer, Tiptonville, Tenn.—We went to New Madrid and found the regiment still there. We went on board this steamer about nine o’clock, in company of half a dozen steamers laden with troops. We went forty-five miles, nearly to the Arkansas line, when we met an express boat with orders from General Pope to return to the first landing and tie up and await orders. So we came back here, fifteen miles below New Madrid.
To Mrs. Lyon
April 13, 1862.—We are just starting for the regiment, which left New Madrid last night, or will this morning, to go down the river. We shall catch them the first time they stop. ‘Forward to Memphis’ is the word. We are all in capital spirits and our hearts bound with exultation at the prospect of diving into the very bowels of ‘Secessia’.
To Mrs. Lyon
Cairo, April 10,1862.—Since the capture of Island No. 10 our regiment has moved to New Madrid and I have received orders to join it forthwith. I came from Sikeston to make necessary arrangements for leaving. We shall march from Sikeston on Saturday. Think we shall get through by night.
The fighting at No. 10 was all done by the navy and artillery. The infantry had nothing to do but look on. Not so at Pittsburg Landing. There on the Tennessee a terrible battle has been fought. Our loss is very heavy. The 16th Wisconsin was in the fight. I can get no definite intelligence of its fate.
To Mrs. Lyon
Sikeston, April 6, 1862.—Company K is ordered to join the regiment. One of our gunboats ran past the batteries to New Madrid and we hear that our troops will cross the river tonight. We do not know whether the 8th will be sent across or not. The fighting will doubtless commence immediately. We can not possibly reach them before Tuesday. Our teams left here this morning for the regiment. We can not go until they return and until other troops relieve us.
To Mrs. Lyon
March 30, 1862.—Jeff Thompson and Pillow both had headquarters here last winter and ravaged the country. The regiment is still at Mt. Pleasant doing nothing. We do not expect to join it until we can go down the river. Our forces are cutting a channel through from above Island No. 10, about one-half mile long, which leads into a bayou or slough and will give us water communication to New Madrid without passing the island. Our business here is to take care of a section of the railroad and to help in the trans-shipment from cars to wagons of supplies for the army at New Madrid.
To Mrs. Lyon
Sikeston, Mo., March 28, 1862.—We are put off here at Sikeston to guard a railroad 26 miles west of Bird’s Point. This is a very pleasant place.
To Mrs. Lyon
Mound City, March 25, 1862.—We are ordered to leave here at six this evening to join the regiment, to report at Cairo. No fighting where they are.
