To Mrs. Lyon
Cairo, March 18, 1862.—They are fighting like fun at Island No. 10. No infantry engaged. It is a naval battle.
Reminiscences of the Civil War, William and Adelia Lyon
To Mrs. Lyon
Mound City, March 16, 1862.—We have not gone yet. The 8th is at or near New Madrid, and there has been some fighting down there. The situation there is about this: The rebels have fortified Island No. 10 in the Mississippi river, about fifteen miles above New Madrid, and occupy it now. They also had a fort at or near New Madrid. This fort was commanded by our artillery all day last Thursday, and on that night, during a severe thunderstorm we had here, they evacuated it and our troops occupied it. We expect every day to hear that our gunboats have cleaned out from the island, as it is not a strong position. The infantry have had but little to do, it being (as I always told you the battles along the river would be) an artillery fight. One captain in the 10th Illinois was killed by the rebel pickets on Wednesday night, through his own folly and imprudence, by going unnecessarily near the rebel lines. I never shall get killed that way. When I peril my life it will be where some good is to be accomplished by it. We had a report here on Friday that our regiment had been in and got cut up, but I do not believe it has been under fire at all.
To Mrs. Lyon
Mound City, March 12, 1862.—We are still here, and shall be for some days. There is a new administration at Cairo. General Strong has charge, General Paine being in the field near New Madrid, and they do not know at headquarters anything about the order relieving us. So if you hear of a fight at New Madrid you may be sure (humiliating as it is) that Company K is not there.
To Mrs. Lyon
Mound City, Sunday, March 9, 1862.—How lucky now that you did not come to me. I got orders last night to join the regiment, which is 20 miles west of Bird’s Point. We are all packed up and expect the boat every hour. I presume we shall go to New Madrid. If you hear of a fight, keep cool until you have the particulars, and then throw up your hat, for we shall whip them.
Mound City, Ill., March 6, 1862.—I see by your paper of last week (a stray copy of which has just reached us) that you are under a misapprehension in relation to the movement of our regiment. No part of it has been at Fort Donelson. Company K was sent to this place on the 12th ult. Soon afterwards, and before the capture of Donelson, the right wing of the regiment went up the Ohio river as far as Paducah as an escort to General Paine, returning to Cairo in a day or two. Since that time Col. Murphy, with Captains Redfield and Perkins and a detachment of one hundred men from Companies A and C, escorted the Fort Henry prisoners to Alton. Company E, Captain Young, has been to St. Louis in charge of a large number of rebel officers, captured at Donelson. On Sunday, the 23d ult., a detachment of three hundred men of the 8th, under command of Col. Murphy, went down the river to Columbus, where they were met by a flag of truce from the rebels, as already stated in the newspapers.
These were the only movements made by the 8th since we arrived at Cairo, until the 4th inst., when the whole regiment, except Company K, was ordered on an expedition into the country back of Bird’s Point, and left Cairo the same evening. We do not know the object of the expedition, but suppose that it is to prevent marauding parties of rebels in the neighborhood of New Madrid from passing north of Bird’s Point and attacking Government transports on the river, large numbers of which are constantly moving laden with troops and supplies. It is expected that the regiment will return to Cairo in a few days.
I wish to refer to another matter before I close. I learn from the Advocate that Lieut. Gibbons, of Waterford, has resigned and returned home, and that his neighbors are indignant at his conduct, charging him with cowardice. I fear that the good people of Waterford are doing Lieut. Gibbons injustice. There are frequently valid reasons why an officer may resign—without loss of honor—and when I remember that the Lieutenant saw service in Mexico, and knew precisely what he must encounter when he volunteered in the service last summer, I can not believe that he is a coward. A coward may accidentally get into one war, but I do not believe that he would voluntarily go into a second one. Of course, I know nothing of the facts, but I trust that public opinion will not pronounce the terrible judgment of cowardice upon Lieut. Gibbons without the most convincing proofs.
Respectfully yours,
Wm. P. Lyon.
To Mrs. Lyon
Mound City, Ill., March 5, 1862.—I was down to Cairo yesterday, and while there the regiment received orders to march to Charlestown, a few miles west of Bird’s Point. Company K was not included. You are glad. Columbus is evacuated, no fight there. The boys are hungry for a fight.
To Mrs. Lyon
March 2, 1862.—Col. Murphy sent orders for Company K to be ready for marching. He is trying to join an expedition down at New Madrid, which is below Columbus, to cut off communication from that point down the river. It looks as though they would have a fight at Columbus.
We hear that a large force of our troops is also concentrating at Paducah, 50 miles up the Ohio, and everything looks like a movement on Columbus. We thought after the fall of Donelson that we should get Columbus without a fight, but the indications now are that the rebels will make a stand there.
To Mrs. Lyon
Feb. 26, 1862.—I moved Saturday to my own quarters. Board with a Mrs. Reyburn, whose husband is a sutler. My bed is in the parlor, and I have white sheets. Everything is as neat as wax and the whole family are so solicitous for my comfort it is almost embarrassing. I can tell in a day or two when you had better come.
I can give you no idea of our future movements. It is supposed that our troops are at Nashville and that Tennessee has caved in. We do not think that there will be any fight at Columbus or Memphis. Both places are expected to surrender soon. Their terrible defeat at Donelson seems to have taken the life out of the rebels. We have given up all idea of seeing any more fighting. The buds and grass are starting and spring is here.
To Mrs. Lyon
Mound City, Ill., Wed. p. m., Feb. 19, 1862.—There has been nothing going on here to break the monotony for a few days past except the arrival of a part of the wounded from Fort Donelson. These, with those that have previously been sent here, make about 400 of them at this hospital. A great many of them are severely wounded. They seem to be in good spirits. Surgeons have flocked in from all about and tendered their services. Some are prisoners. Steamer after steamer heavily laden with prisoners has gone down the river. I really begin to think that the war will be closed in a few months; and that, possibly, without the 8th having a fight. I tell you, when I see our wounded and maimed soldiers it makes me feel as though I wanted one chance at the authors of all this misery and suffering. I don’t believe that I have any apprehension of being hurt.
To Mrs. Lyon
Mound City, Monday noon, Feb. 17, 1862.—The regiment is now all at Cairo except Company K and about 100 men who, with Col. Murphy, went yesterday to Alton with the prisoners taken at Fort Henry. They are having a desperate fight at Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland river. General Paine came down yesterday, bringing intelligence that we have already lost 2,000 killed and wounded, among whom are several Illinois Colonels and other officers. Several gunboats came down from there last night and this morning; but, not stopping here, we got no news from above.
There has been heavy firing at Cairo within an hour. At first we thought the place had been attacked from Columbus, but as it ceased all at once we have concluded that they had heard that we had taken Fort Donelson and were firing a national salute in honor of the victory. The boys chafed like chained lions when they heard the firing at Columbus this morning.
Evening.—It is true that Fort Donelson is taken, and with it 10,000 to 15,000 prisoners. The backbone of this rebellion is broken. Now for Columbus and home! Our hearts bound as we begin to see the end of this war.
