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.
