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THE SOLDIER

"To fight
In a just cause and for our country’s glory
Is the best office of the best of men."

The following letter will show that Mr. Boomer had accomplished his work of raising a regiment:--

"St. Louis, January 11, 1862
Dear Sister: -- I need not say that I was very thankful for your last kind letter – except that the acknowledgment is becoming in me – and I hope you will continue to write me often, even though I should seem unmindful of a proper return. Your letters always give me pleasure; a fresh breathing comes with them through the air, and I respire for a while lighter and freer. The world of affection is one of its own, and when we enter it truly we have stepped out for the moment from the world of care as perfectly as in sleep, which the poets have always contended ‘hath its own world.’

I am at the Planter’s House, writing after tea in the sitting room, and the crowd buzzes about as it only can at an American hotel. Sunday, at the proper loafing hour, it reaches its climax, and this is I think the hour; in other words, ‘the hour and the men are come.’

I am expecting Mr. V--- B---- and my assistant surgeon on the train shortly. I sent for them, as to-morrow

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morning it is proposed to muster into service the whole field and staff of the Twenty-sixth Regiment Missouri Volunteers, George B. Boomer, Colonel; John H. Holman, Lieutenant-Colonel, L. H. Koninszesky, Major; Dr. Prout, Surgeon; Dr. Bryan, Assistant Surgeon; A. H. Van Buren, Adjutant; chaplain and quartermaster I have not yet appointed.

The forces under my command were consolidated, December 30^th, with those of the lieutenant-colonel and major, and my position is the more flattering as it was given without my knowledge.

I believe I am the be placed at Franklin, the junction of the Pacific and Southwest Branch Railroad, thirty-seven miles from here. I cannot, of course, tell what will ultimately be our destination, but I hope south. I have entered the service for war, and, after due preparation, want to be where the hardest work is the be done."

In entering the field Colonel Boomer assured his friends that it would be vain for them to look for a labored correspondence from him; that he should have neither time nor disposition to write a history of the movements of the army as they occurred. He should enter the field for work, and if he attended faithfully to his duties it would leave him neither time nor thought for digesting or condensing the active operations of a large body of soldiers for newspaper correspondence. This opinion was fully confirmed, after a little observation in the field, by seeing the personal aims and ends of the press, many of them utterly false, of at least with truth so distorted that it was hard to recognize it even as a foundation.

The Twenty-sixth Missouri remained in the State

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service as guard until the sixteenth of February, when they were ordered to Fort Donnelson; but as our army was victorious at that place before they could reach it, they were ordered to Bird’s Point, from there to Charlestown, Missouri, and thence to Bertrand and New Madrid.

From the latter place Colonel Boomer wrote a letter showing that he fully appreciated the dangers to which a soldier was exposed on the field of battle:--

Camp near New Madrid, March 13, 1862.
"Dear Sister:--I write you a hurried note this eve, as we are ordered to be ready for advance to-morrow by daylight.

I have seen hard times of late, as we marched thirty-eight miles in two days to get here, without tents or baggage, or scarcely anything to eat. We did not have our horses, so I marched with the soldiers, sleeping on the ground one night in the rain, which was too much for me, as I have not recovered my strength from the illness I had at Bird’s Point.

I do not know what we shall do to-morrow, but I hear heavy firing to-night, proceeding, I think from the enemy’s gunboats upon our batteries below, on the river.

We have a superior force, but the enemy has great advantage in position. I judge that the present intention is to advance on the lines; but whatever is done, or commanded to be done, I believe I shall be able to do my duty.

I am in General Schuyler Hamilton’s division, whom I know well. We are friends, and I feel sure that I shall be fairly treated, and well cared for if wounded.

I send you a bill of sale of my library and household furniture, which I want you to have in case accident happens to me.

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L--- was to see me at Bertrand. We had a good brotherly visit. He was full of kindness, and we parted as I marched for this place. May Heaven bless him for all his love to me.

Please transmit the contents of this letter to my mother, L--, and N--, with my love to you all. I can only write to mother my love, and tell here she will hear through you.

With much love to your husband, to Ara and Bella,

I am ever your dear brother,
George"

Hamburg, Tennessee, April 23, 1862.
"Dear S---:-- After the siege of New Madrid we crossed the river at Tiptonville. We were present at the surrender of Island No. 10, went down to Fort Pillow with the fleet, and while there received orders to move to this place immediately.

I am quite happy in my position; yet I assure you I would be glad to get out of it were it not for the object with which I entered the service. It is a hard, thankless life; save the idea that it is necessary, one could not endure the horrors of war. It has its sunlights, however, and I shall be happy in the experience of this self-denial, should I be so fortunate as to survive it. My health is excellent, and I feel confident that my regiment will do well.

I beg you will excuse a short letter, for it is the first time for more than a week that we have had any ink or stationery, and consequently I have an accumulation of writing on my hands.

We have been in slow pursuit of the flying enemy since

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the 30^th, and success in keeping just about so near him, having nothing but blankets and ammunition with us, saving very little to eat.

I believe now we shall stop and occupy the railroads and the country through which we pass, which after so long a time, is the most sensible thing we can do.

I am generally well, and am at present in command of a demi-brigade, three regiments – Fifth Iowa, Fifty-seventh Indiana, and my own. I command them before Corinth, and had the honor to lead them into one little skirmish which was quite brilliant."

On going into the field Colonel Boomer was presented with a very fine horse. The generous donor had spared no pains in the training of the noble animal, and during the siege of Corinth it won the reputation of being the finest animal in the field; but most unfortunately its fame extended to the rebel camp. Colonel Boomer, in the foregoing letter says: "I have lost my fine horse. I loaned him to my chaplain one day, when riding, to go back on the road to see a sick officer; returning, he strayed a little from the road, and was captured by the enemy. The chaplain I have heard from he is – in good hands – but there still remains an uncomfortable silence about the horse."

The sequel of the stolen horse was afterwards revealed. While at Corinth one of the rebel generals had his eye upon this horse, with the determination to capture it. This he succeeded in doing, as about six months afterward he sent a note of thanks to the Colonel for his splendid animal.

In the Field, July 7, 1862
"Dear S---:--Your kind letters from home reached

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me in due time, and they are so welcome that I dare not let this last one go by without a reply, for fear I may miss them hereafter if I neglect you. This is very selfish, is it not? But you know it is the mainspring of many of our acts. Still, I have another reason, for you know that I love to write to you. So here goes.

First the situation—a block for a seat, a tent-fly for a roof, a field desk and a candle; the air, the open field, constitute my other surroundings.

It is a warm, moonlight evening; tattoo has been beating an hour; the horses are grazing, picketed; and there is systematic outbreak of noise among the mules and wagons, and a hum, low but distinct, along the stacks of arms stretched along this road, which runs east and west from Rienzi to Jacinto. I am in this open field on the south side of the road, the men and the arms on the north, and we are all two miles east of Rienzi, ‘whither two horsemen may frequently be seen riding.’

We have been marching without tents or baggage, ever since June 26^th, east and west, for about fifty miles, along this road, to near Holly Springs, and average distance of twenty miles south of Corinth. The enemy are hovering about, but I think only in small force, without any other motive than to annoy us.

I feel often heartsick at what I see about me, which, with all the privations and the ‘often infirmities’ of the temporal man, very frequently make hard times. But the more I see of the strength of our foe in this part of the country, combined with our recent disasters East, the more I feel that this gigantic war is by no means over; and as I entered the service for three years or the war, I have not the least idea

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of leaving it, so long as I may be of use in accomplishing the great end.

I would like to see home and you, and I would like many other things; but I counted all these privations in the cost of being a soldier, and have no expectation of leaving the army while there is any use in my being in it, except when required to do so by wounds or illness. I do not believe in so many officers leaving the army on furloughs; it demoralizes and disorganizes everything. I know it is pleasant to rest, but if war is a necessity let us meet it as a necessity."

August 1.
"Do not worry too much about me, my sister. It is true that we often have hard times, that we sometimes get desponding, but there is much to enjoy, aside from the fact that we are laboring for a country which has need of us. We come in contact with the brightest intellects in the land. These intellects, sharpened by action, called out by corresponding minds, bound together by a common sympathy, afford no inferior enjoyment. And then life is so active, so much is crowded into a single day or hour"

August 10.
"My regiment has gone to Jacinto, twelve miles southwest of here. I shall join them to-morrow if as well as today.

As I write I hear the guns of the batteries of the First Missouri Light Artillery, including Totter’s and Dubois’s. They are saluting the anniversary of the battle of Wilson’s Creek. I now hear the guns of the Second Kansas; they

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claim their honors too. This interests me, as that battle decided me to enter the army.

I am truly thankful for your letters; they are better than an oasis, for, as I travel along the desert, I can carry the fountain and shade with me.

I rejoice that you are with our dear parents again, and wish that I could ride with you to our old home in Sutton. The older I grow the more vivid is my childhood. Remember me to all my acquaintances of those early years, as you see them. With love to all,

I am your affectionate brother,
George."

Camp at Jacinto, August 13.
"Dear Sister N---:--I came to this place yesterday, where my regiment have been for several days. I found your letter to welcome me, which was a real happiness—greater than I can tell. How delightful to hear that you are in better health. I believe you will permanently recover. As a family we all have great vitality, and since I have been in the service I have borne the hardships well.

The weather is very warm, but I dread more a certain quality of heat than I do the quantity. There are some peculiar properties of heat that reduce one.

Altogether I like the service, and get on much better than I feared, though, like everything else, there are many trials connected with it.

You speak of my life. It has been much as you think and from year to year I feel more strength and purpose. I shall never be too old or too wise to learn, and so day by day I receive a new pleasure. ‘Whom the Lord loveth he

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chasteneth.’ I have sometimes thought those words were meant for me; they are beautiful and have given me much comfort.

You say that Johnny wants to be a soldier. He is too young to enter the army. No one has a right, except as a last resort, to enter the field until his physical development is complete. To do so brings ruin upon his future, and does little or no present good. A more rigid inspection, throwing out nearly twenty per cent of the recruits, would save millions of dollars, and give us a stronger army."

A few weeks after the forgoing letter was written, our troops were engaged in the battle of Iuka. This contest demanded prompt and energetic action, which was met by Colonel Boomer with a determination to conquer, as will best be seen by the following account of the battle, taken from the public press:--

"In this engagement seven or eight thousand of our troops fought against eighteen to twenty thousand of the enemy. The nature of the ground was such, also, that they could approach very near us without being exposed.

Our battery took its position on a point where two ridges join. On each is a road, both converging at this place. The line of the First Brigade formed nearly at right angles with the battery on the point of the angle.

The enemy poured grape and shell upon our troops all the time they were forming, and charged almost before our line was completed.

When our battery opened, as it did, double charged with ammunition, it made fearful havoc in the enemy’s deep

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columns; but still they came upon us, with such a concentrated fire, that the battery was silenced, and the three regiments on the left gave way.

Meantime Colonel Boomer, of the Twenty-sixth Missouri, seeing the danger, and that the battery was gone, moved his regiment forward, and by the off flank on and around the battery, fought against both a front and flank fire with the most unparalleled determination, sustained by the Fifth Iowa. During the fearful struggle Colonel Boomer had no field or staff officer to assist him; yet he was everywhere seen in the fight, apparently at the same time. Three times had he to rally his brave men to this deadly contest, one-half of whom were left on the battle-field, killed or wounded.

In this hot fight the Colonel had received two balls in his thigh. Still undaunted, he pressed on—no surrender with him – until, as night closed in, another ball threw him from his horse, as it was supposed mortally wounded, but not until he had the satisfaction of knowing that the victory was ours, which victory justly covered him with glory."

For some days Colonel Boomer’s wounds were considered mortal. In contemplating death he expressed an entire trust in the all-wise Disposer of events, and said if it was God’s will that he should end his earthly career at that time he was satisfied, and knew that he should not be left to tread "the dark valley" alone. One of his friends expressed her grief that he had thus sacrificed his life. He said reprovingly, "And you call this sacrifice, if I lose my life or become disabled? It is a price to be paid, but not too dear for the blessings of a good government. I would not have my country

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go through such a struggle without feeling the satisfaction that I had, in thought and in act, given it my entire, my most hearty sympathy. Our nationality must be maintained."

During this illness he was asked if he thought the war was nearly at an end. He replied that he thought not. He believed that certain successful campaigns on our part, such as taking their largest cities and their strongholds, might bring the hardest fighting to an end; but even that was going to be a difficult thing to do, and in that event the South would resist us by every means in their power. He was convinced the South would never lay down their arms and return to the Union so long as they had any ability to fight; and until their institutions were entirely changed, peace would never smile upon our land again, for "our enemy was really fighting for aristocracy, and their leaders were haughtier despots than were ever enthroned by the most arbitrary laws in any age."

While recovering from his wounds he was permitted to go north, and one circumstance after another led him to pay a visit to every member of his family. This privilege seemed to fill him with a new happiness, and although not usually demonstrative, yet he could not sufficiently express his pleasure in seeing all his friends again. To us his own words, "they all seemed invested with a new interest to him." Perhaps the shadow of his earthly farewell was hovering over him.

On returning to his command he stopped in St. Louis, and, as if guided by an overruling hand, he made a short visit to Castle Rock. Of his visit to St. Louis he says: "I

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rejoice to be here once more, and greatly rejoice in the more plentiful number of Union people than when I left it. I am surprised at the change of feelings towards me, as my old friends very generally seem delighted to greet me. It was reported here that I was killed, and one of my good friends was on the point of sending to Corinth for me, when it was ascertained that my brother had already gone."

In speaking of this visit, a friend says: "Colonel Boomer seemed quite astonished at the enthusiasm with which he was everywhere greeted in going up and down the road from Jefferson City to St. Louis, and at the former place. As for the people of Castle Rock, their joy was unbounded when they heard he was going to pay them a visit. He was expected there the day before he went, and all his friends were gathered to meet him. As the next day went by without his appearing, they began to fear they should be disappointed; but when, late in the evening, it was announced that their dear Colonel was crossing the river, men, women, and children rushed to the landing, and with one burst of joy gave him a welcome."

This visit to Missouri gave him great support and comfort, and on reaching his command, the 11^th November, he says his life seemed full of blessings; and, added to the joy of visiting old friends and sharing their confidence, his regiment received him in such a manner that he could not speak for some time.

Colonel Boomer was advised by many of his military friends to seize upon so favorable an opportunity to secure his promotion. The following letter will show the nature of his feelings upon this subject:--

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Oxford, Missouri, December 8.
"Dear Sister:--Your kind letters are received; and let me thank you again for the interest you take in me, for it is rare, and I trust you believe that I bear no ungrateful heart toward you in return.

I want to explain to you why I have taken no active measures to obtain promotion. I don’t believe in it, and could not do it. Advancement is only valuable as it serves one’s purpose. I have certain views of what is high and lofty in life, with which the means of advancement in these days do not always consort. I will not, in other words, do certain things to be promoted.

My position is an honorable one, and one which gives me, in my own locality, all the reputation I deserve; for there is a true estimate of a man’s qualities in the field; and if I am promoted it must be in such a way that I shall be proud of it, for it is not so distinguished an honor that great sacrifices should be made to attain it.

I am fond of reflecting upon what I think have been right actions in my past career, that is, self sacrificing and meritorious. I desire to enlarge this resource continually; and it is not to be done by advance position, unless all things are equal.

Some things have occurred recently which afford me more satisfaction than any promotion the powers at Washington could give me without them. Shortly after I arrived here it was intimated that I was to be placed in command of a brigade, and when it was known that our division was to be reinforced with new regiments and reorganized, all the old regiments of the division, except two, applied to be assigned to my brigade.

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It would be egotistical for me to tell you of all the love and confidence that have been shown me in this affair, by men of all ranks; suffice it to say, I feel really affected by it, and would not exchange it for forty brigadierships. General Grant has treated me with the utmost consideration. I had no right to expect it.

I have been placed in command of General Schuyler Hamilton’s old division at New Madrid, with the exception of the Fifty-ninth Indiana. It is composed of some of the very best regiments in the army; and I hope now to be of more use in subduing our foes than I have been heretofore."

This promotion in the army was followed by recommendations from Generals Grant, Rosecrans, Hamilton, Quimby, and others in the field, asserting that Col. Boomer was an officer who had been tried, and deserved at the hands of his country the same promotion at Washington that had been given him unasked in the field. These recommendations were seconded by the governor and senators of Missouri; but at that time some favorite at Washington received the mead that was his due.

The following extracts from letters will show that Colonel B. felt deeply solicitous for our cause on the return to the field:--

January 8, 1863.
"Dear S---:--We are now on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, fourteen miles from the city, guarding it. Our division guarded a train of five hundred wagons to Memphis and return – the most disagreeable service we have had."

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January 19.
"We are going to Vicksburg as soon as we can get boats, probably ten days yet. I am not over cheerful in regard to matters in general."

Early in February he paid his last visit to St. Louis.

Camp Near Memphis, February 22.
"My Dear Sister:-- On my arrival here yesterday I found some late letters from you, and some old ones missing heretofore, covering a long interval, and bringing with them quite a retrospect. It seems, then, that I have at times written in blue lines. Well, that cannot be helped, for there are at times enough vexations to wear out the fortitude of the most patient of men. It is not at the necessary trials or obstacles to be overcome, but to see undone what might be done, and done what should not be done."

Grand Lake Landing, March 7.
"Dear Sister: -- We are one and a half miles north of Louisiana line, and twenty north of Lake Providence. It was intended to work through these lakes into Bayou Mascon, from thence into Red River, and through the latter into the Mississippi above Port Hudson. This plan is now abandoned, and we are going up the river to what is called the Yazoo Pass, on the Mississippi side. We expect to go through that pass into Moon Lake, thence into the Cold Water and Tallahatchie Rivers and through these into Yazoo River, to a point above Vicksburg, which we propose to attack in the rear. There are five divisions going this route.

I went yesterday down to Lake Providence to see General McPherson. It is one of the most lovely spots in

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the world. The lake runs west from the river, and is about three-fourths of a mile wide. The water is clear, and skirted around the edge of the shore with luxuriant trees, hung with moss, so thick in places that it looks like a veil. The banks are about twelve feet high. The road runs along on the edge of it, which is lined with elegant residences, the plantations running back to the swamps. These plantations, deserted by their owners, are now occupied by our troops; while the generals in command find commodious quarters in the fine houses.

I wish you cold see this wealth of beauty; it is my first realization of the splendors of the Oriental. The beautiful foliage and luxuriant flowers and shrubs, profuse in fragrance, the brilliant birds, gorgeous in coloring, combined with the freshness of a sunny spring day, are enough to take one away from the fact of a despoiling war into fairy land.

Well, there is always some sweet intermixed with the bitter. Military matters do not look so beautifully. I am not entirely pleased with the present plan, and asked General McPherson to go yesterday and see General Grant about it. Whether he can effect any change remains to be seen.

General Grant is opposite Vicksburg, with half the army; the other half will be with us. I think they ought to be together. Whatever is done the force should never be divided.

I am well, and, though a good deal disquieted at times, I have made up my mind to see what I can do for my country. I will not entertain the idea of deserting what I have undertaken, but try to make the best of things as they are.

I am so much obliged to you for your letters, and indeed I will write you more frequently than I have done; and

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if you will keep my letters I shall be glad. It might be a pleasure to me sometime in the future to look them over and see what I thought and felt during this struggle, though they are poor affairs."

Helena, Arkansas, March 14
"I am left here in charge of the Second and Third Brigades of this division, to procure transportation and embark them down the Yazoo Pass. General Quimby left this morning with the First Brigade."

Flag Ship Steamer W. W. Crawford,
At Landing, Five Miles Below Helena,
Arkansas, March 22, 1863.
I have been waiting here a number of days for transports to take my command into Yazoo River. I have now obtained them, and we are embarked ready to leave to-morrow morning. We shall undoubtedly have a rough time of it working through a narrow, crooked bayou, overhung with trees, but we will work through nevertheless. The enemy will be likely to fight us too after we land, I think, as it will be their policy to do so before we get the rest of our forces in; but they will have a hard time at that, as we have good troops, consisting of eight regiments and three batteries.

This expedition will prove a failure, I fear. My opinion has been expressed to General Grant and General McPherson in advance. I shall try my best, however, which is all the satisfaction from it that I look forward to. I am well and in good spirits."

Head-Quarters Steamer Crawford,
At Helena, April 11, 1863.
"Dear Sister:--I waited for the aid of this bright morning to write you a cheerful letter.

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You remember that in Nursery Rhymes the King of France and Duke of York, with twice ten thousand men did great things. We have done the same under much greater difficulties, with half that number of men. We have demonstrated what can, and, more, what cannot be done. Well, to come to the facts in the case, we have chased the so-call Southern Confederacy up and down all its small creeks, and I judge, from the effect our movements have produced on ourselves, that we have wrought very much confusion in the minds of our enemies.

I do not feel like making any review of my expedition even for your benefit, for I am in too good humor. Still, you shall have some knowledge of it, even from me.

I will content myself now with saying, that, after a trip which nearly worried the life out of me, we arrived at Fort Greenwood. We remained there two days and a half, which time I occupied in reconnoitering, and talking to the enemy’s pickets—the same enemy we met at Corinth and Iuka, and who knew us at once, and were glad to see us. At the expiration of this time, under peremptory orders, we retired in good order, which, under the circumstances, was quite surprising to me, as the enemy saluted us with a few shells at parting and killed a few men by guerilla firing from the banks. We arrived here last night, and are going to Lake Providence to-day. Where our future destination is, I don’t know.

On the trip down, while one morning in the pilot-house of the Belle Creole, a limb burst suddenly through, and cut my right eyelid badly.

You would be amused to see our boats—nothing but a photograph could describe them.

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My boat had to lie still about half the time, waiting for the others; and one day I gathered some beautiful flowers. I send you an apple blossom, which was most delicious when fresh, though there are few traces of its fragrance now."

Millikin’s Bend, April 20, 1863
"Dear S--- :--We are twenty miles above Vicksburg by water; arrived here the 15^th;

My brigade has a fine camp inside the levee along the river. General Grant’s headquarters are just on the right of my line.

Colonel P---- is here, working nobly at a new canal, which will be a success for the object intended; viz., to supply our army below Vicksburg with provisions, etc. One corps d’armee (McClernand’s) is already at Carthage.

Eight gunboats and two steam boats ran the blockade Thursday night. It was the most magnificent sight I ever saw. Over five hundred shots were fired at them, which set fire to one of the steamers loaded with cotton. The rebels lighted a bonfire to illuminate the river; and between this and the flashes of the guns, the reports, and the explosion of the shells, together with the interest felt in the safety of the boats and crews, all conspired to create quite an excitement.

Our prospects are brightening. The troops are concentrated, and can soon be used, I think."

Camp on Big Black River, Mississippi, May 6
"At last through the ‘many and various’ we are two days in bivouac as above.

I am in excellent spirits. Major Brown is in here,

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and I am abusing him and having a real ‘feast of reason’ and ‘flow of soul;’ indeed, it is hard to bring myself down to write, being in a ripe condition to use my tongue instead of my pen; and while I know you are glad of it, yet I believe too you would like to have me make the sacrifice to write.

I left Millikin’s Bend the 25^th April, and arrived here on the evening of May 3, having marched, by the route I took, above one hundred and twenty miles, a portion of the distance over horrible roads. I crossed my command over the Mississippi River in the interim, and laid by one day for other troops to pass, and moved the last day in the face of the enemy.

Since General Grant commenced to move his columns he has displayed great tact and skill, together with immense energy and nerve. The passage of this army over the Mississippi River and up to this point is one of the most masterly movements known in the history of any warfare, and it is a success.

We shall soon commence the second movement, when you will probably hear of a tremendous battle, and I trust a victory.

You have no idea, my dear sister, of the beauty and wealth of this country. In Louisiana many of the plantations along the bayous and rivers are magnificent in the extreme, especially the grounds, covered with every variety of vegetation, all of the most luxuriant growth."

Bivouac Five Miles East of Utica, on
Raymond Road, Mississippi, May 11, 1863.
"Dear Sister:---I am up very early this morning under orders to move but am waiting for the columns to get off.

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It is about five o’clock a.m. I have had my breakfast; the air is damp, chilly and smoky. The dust, of something else, with a slight cold, have caused a soreness in my right lung and throat, so that I am feeling poorly.

One thing which aids this condition is the news in the Southern papers announcing another reverse to our arms in Virginia. I hope it may not be true, but the probabilities seem to be that it is. If so, there seems little hope of accomplishing anything there for a long time; and, besides, it will have a bad effect upon us here. We have enough before us at best, although the General is doing nobly, and has troops of great valor to bring him through.

You will know by this time that I am no feeling well, and as I cannot send you a letter now, being in the Southern Confederacy, so called, I will await to-day’s march."

Sunday Evening, 17.
"Since I wrote the above I have seen and felt more than I can express to you.

Our active operations began that day. We marched twelve miles and fought a battle before Raymond. The forces engaged on either side were comparatively small – one and a half division of ours, and about the same of the enemy.

The night after the battle we bivouacked in Raymond. I led the advance toward Jackson; skirmished for eleven miles under dreadful heat and dust. The enemy did not engage his main force, I lost none; some were slightly wounded.

The next morning (it rained all day) we met the enemy, under General Joe Johnson, eight miles in front of

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town. Our division joined in double line of battle, drove them from their position, captured their artillery, pushed them over their works and through the town, which we occupied at four o’clock p. m.

The morning following we turned again for Vicksburg, made a march of sixteen miles, and yesterday, after marching five miles, met the enemy’s whole army in splendid fashion, moved out to fight the battle of Vicksburg. We had but four divisions at hand to meet them with, and one of those could scarcely be said to have a part in the battle (Brigadier-General Osterhaus’s). The other three were Hovey’s, of McClernand’s corps, General Logan’s, and ours of McPherson’s. General Grant and General McPherson were both on the field. General Logan’s division and Sanborn’s brigade were the right, General Hovey the left. I was ordered first left, then right, and finally, as the enemy massed all his force on General Hovey and commenced to rout him, I was ordered back again to the left on the double quick, to support him. I did it manfully, though his force was completely routed by the time I got on the ground, and there was terrible danger of panic among my men for a moment. As his scattered forces passed by, I swung my lines into position under a terrible fire and drove them back. They reinforced again and came up, at the same time endeavoring to flank me on the left. I swung my left back again, and held them until I received two regiments from Holmes’s brigade, which enabled me to drive them from the field.

I captured what was left of a Georgia regiment and an Arkansas battalion. While we were doing this, General McPherson had forced their right, and they fled in utter

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consternation. The result was the capture of two thousand prisoners and sixteen pieces of artillery. The loss was about equal on both sides.

The great struggle was on the left. General Hovey fought well; his men drove the enemy a long distance; but they were all worn out, their ammunition gone, and the enemy poured their whole force against him.

The victory was great and decisive, but, oh! at how dear a cost to me! Five hundred and fifty-one of my brave men were killed or wounded! I cannot bear to think of it – the way they fought and fell.

Major Brown, of my own regiment, is among the killed. He was as noble and gallant as he was pure and true, and his spirit will never die. He handled the regiment he commanded during that hot fight as though it were pastime, and his praise is on every tongue.

Captain Welker was also killed, and we buried him with Lieutenant-Colonel Horney, of the Tenth Missouri, and my dear friend Brown, this morning, side by side, in rude coffins, with a description of the locality, that will identify their graves if the rude mementos we placed at their heads are lost.

We are now at the crossing of the Big Black river, near the railroad crossing. A part of the enemy had not crossed when our forces reached here. General A. J. Smith’s Division, of McClernand’s Corps, charged on them, and they surrendered before our line reached them – about three thousand in all.

The enemy are totally demoralized, and a large force of them scattered in every direction. To-morrow we shall

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know what of Vicksburg. The indications are very favorable for us in every quarter of this campaign.

I thank God that my life has been thus far spared, and trust it may be until the end. I have not been scratched. My horse yesterday was shot in the leg, but he kept the field with me. I think much credit is awarded me for my conduct, and I feel that I have done my duty.

Our noble soldiers have borne every hardship, trial and fatigue, hunger, thirst, heat, and death, without a murmur."