To Mrs. Lyon.
October 15, 1862.—The river is still low and nearly isolates us from civilization. I am slowly gaining strength. I ride some, but find it rather fatiguing. The position of Colonel of a regiment is no sinecure, I assure you. I think that I shall earn my wages.
I see that those terrible battles of Corinth have struck close home. You have, of course, heard that Sperry Northup was killed. A letter from Andrews, the sutler, informs me that he was shot through the heart while skirmishing on Saturday morning, the 4th inst. Poor Katie and the children! My heart bleeds for them.
I see, too, that the 8th has lost heavily, but am without particulars, except that Lieut. Fellows of Company K is wounded, also two or three of the boys. There are doubtless many more of them hurt, but I have not seen the full list.
Although by coming to this regiment I have escaped a terrible peril, perhaps death, yet I almost regret that I was not with the brave boys that I led for a year, in the hours of their recent terrible peril. But God governs, and we may safely trust our destinies to Him.
There is no prospect of any fighting in this vicinity at present. There are a few ragged guerilla bands thirty or forty miles from here, but they run whenever our cavalry comes near them. It begins to look as though we should winter here. We are moving the camp a short distance to better ground, and I am making all my arrangements with reference to your coming. I have taken a little stock in the contraband line, having a man and his wife on trial. I think they will suit me. Their names are ‘Jerry’ and ‘Minerva,’ aged 32 and 27, respectively— no children. The wench is supposed to be the most ill looking one in the camp. She is washing for me today.
I think that I am rapidly gaining the confidence and respect of the officers and men of the regiment. I have really a very fine regiment, indeed. Almost the entire membership was recruited from residents of Rock county and closely contiguous territory, and embraces the best material in that favored portion of our state. A large number are either graduates from or students in Milton College. Company K, commanded by Captain Norcross, a graduate of the State University, is composed largely of members of this class. I feel honored to be assigned to the command of such men. As soon as I have strength I shall commence drilling it thoroughly, thus fitting it to fight if we are sent into the field. I shall make no effort to get into the field. That is a responsibility which I dare not assume.
