Letter 3

Letter 3

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives

J.M.N to John Bryant, January 10, 1862

Leonidas Bryant

Selvage Collection, Southern Appalachian Archives, Mars Hill University

Southern Appalachian Archives, Liston B. Ramsey Center for Appalachian Studies, Mars Hill University

1862-01-10

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12 x 7 3/4 in.

English

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Camp near Murfreesboro Tenn Jan 10th 1862
Friend john knowing that [Ere?] this [Lo__?] friends as some have heard of the great late battle at this place. And supposing that you as well as all other friends were anxious to hear from those that were engaged in the battle especially the friends & acquaintances. I have seated myself for the purpose of informing all who may be interested as to my present whereabouts & condition also the same of all of the neighborhood boys. [Text missing] was in the engagement so far as I am able as to the whereabouts of [all?] others from the burg save myself. I am not able to state but last sunday morning, I seen all the boys of my acquaintance with the exception of Leonidas He is or was missing and none of his comrades can account for him. When last seen it was on Wednesday when our forces were retreating it is supposed by those of the boys that I have talked with that he was either killed or wounded and taken prisoner. It may be that in the confusion he got lost from his regt and not yet been able to find it. And it may be that he has joined his regt since Sunday. He is the only one missing from the regt that I was in acquainted with all the rest of the boys are safe. John I consider this battle to be one of the great battles of the war. And that the national army have been crowned with one of the greatest [p. 2] and completest of victories. Our loss in killed was about 1000 and in wounded about 5500 the enemy's loss must certainly exceed ours at least 5 to one. Gen Rosecrans is all the go in this army the men & officers all love him. I think there is nothing impossible for this army to do so long as we have our favorite as our head. The first day day of this bloody battle our forces were whipped and the sights that met the eyes of most of us was enough to dishearten any man to see thousands of men fleeing from the enemy in all manner of disorder and to hear their woefull storys was not well calculated to inspire the troops that were steadily marching up to face the enemy with a sure hope of victory. But on the contrary we all thought that our fate would be even worse that of those preceding us. This was wednesday evening about 3 o'clock and at 5 o'clock the same day our division was drawed up in the line of battle in front of the enemy then like a good angel instead of a man of battle our general appeared to us riding up and down our lines with a cigar in his mouth he appeared to be as cool as though he were at his home employing all the comforts of new year's eve. All this time the enemy's ball & shell were flying over our heads like hail notwithstanding he made a speech to us telling that we could whip them and that it was his intention [p.3] that we should do it. After this we knew no such a feeling as fear. Our Regt was entirely engaged until fryday evening when the old 82nd had an opportunity [which she improved] to unload her guns on at the enemy the compliment was duly received by them [Secesh] and as Promptily Returned none of company G was seriously hurt. But 8 out of the regt were badly wounded 4 of them supposed to be mortally. One of the [Leatter Belengod?] Co. C. is from Canaan his name is Henry McCoy. I have been promoted to orderly sergeant [since] the battle john, I think that is doing very well in the line of promotion I came but as 5th sergt and in 4 months have jumped over the heads of two good men to the office of orderly but john if the war should last much longer it needn’t surprise you folks at home if you should hear that crazy jims shoulders were graced with a pair of straps for if every sign is false i have a very fair prospect for much good luck. John the muster rolls have been handed in to be made out and i must [case?] writing for the present and pitch in to them for I want to see them Green backs and i expect that mother is in need of some too by this time. If we are paid off i will send the money all to you as soon as possible john. Try and answer this as soon as possible and believe me as ever your true friend Crazy jim
[p.4] P.s. tell charley custer that i met his brother george yesterday that he is in camp right by me he is well

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