Headquarters, Left Wing 16th Army Corps,
Lagrange, Tenn.,
June 7, 1863.
We had occupied our very pleasant quarters but two days when an order came for us to pack up for Vicksburg. Received the order at dark and by daylight the next morning we were in Lagrange. General Oglesby had moved his headquarters here and he gobbled me without a moment’s warning. The regiment moved on for the doomed city yesterday and left me. Now don’t write me any of your “glads,” for I’m almost demoralized over the matter. Am uneasy as the d—. The idea of leaving just when I know that the regiment is moving on to a fight doesn’t look at all right; but then I’m where I’d rather be than at any other place in the army, and suppose that other chances will be offered for fighting. If the general had entirely recovered from his wound, I am sure that we would leave this railroad guarding business to some one of less importance in the field, but he is hardly able to stand an active campaign yet. Sam Caldwell, Major Waite and myself compose the staff now and it is so pleasant. It’s “Sam” “Waite” “Charley” and “general.” I have been east on the railroad to-day looking at the defenses of the road. ‘Twill be completed to Corinth by Wednesday next, when the road to Jackson and from here to Corinth will be abandoned. We’ve had another scare here to-day. Some 800 Rebels within a few miles of us. One of the cars on which our regiment was loaded flew the track yesterday, and one man was killed and several hurt. None of my company, or that you knew.
