Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Huntsville, Ala., Oct. 9, 1864.—All is quiet now, Forrest having recrossed the river without being much damaged. There will be a large force kept in this district, no doubt, which will lead to changes, and it is hard to guess how it will affect us. We may remain right where we are, we may be sent back to the river, and we may go to Atlanta. One is just about as likely as the other. We shall know soon.
I have found one of my horses—the best one—in a contraband camp two miles from town. As father used to say, ‘Give a man luck, and a little wit will do.’
Most of the officers who are entitled to a discharge will take one when the original term of service of the 13th expires. The officers who went home with the regiment last winter are not held by reason of having done so, the War Department having overruled General Thomas in that respect. If the Major goes out, Captain Kummel will be Lieut.-Colonel. We shall not be entitled to a Major, the regiment being below the minimum (806 enlisted men). In that case, Fish may stay as Captain of Company C. If not, Bardwell will be Captain, and I think that Moulton will be a Lieutenant.
I go up the road tomorrow on an inspecting tour as far as Stevenson. I take a special train and expect to be gone two days. Officers and men of the 13th nearly all sick, but I hope the cool weather will straighten them up.
