84th Indiana Infantry

Item LTR-11182

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period ink.


Catlettsburg, Ky
(December 15, 1862)

Mr. Benny Tyson
Sir
 
Excuse a line or two from the 84th. The 84th for the past month have been encamped on the banks of the Ohio, at the mouth of Big Sandy River, going through a daily routine of drill and was enjoying good health until a few days back. When the Measles and Mumps broke out in the camp and are spreading very fast. Instead of 20 or 30 sick in hospital with fever and ague, we have over 300 now and the surgeon’s care. 
 
On the 12th marching orders came to the Regt. to go to Louisa. On the morning of the 13th the order was given by Colonel Trusler to strike tents and march. It was with some trouble. That the order was obeyed. One company plainly refused. The colonel remonstrated kindly with them but finding that would not do, he gave them 5 minutes to strike tents and be ready to march or he would take them to Louisa as prisoners. He was pretty firm about it and down they came and the regiment about 500 strong marched off.
 
Rather unexpected to me, I was left in command of this place (Catlettsburg) with some 200 men sick and three fit for duty.
 
There is a large amount of stores here and I am placed in rather a responsible position to a green hand.
 
The reason the boys did not want to move was that 4 months has passed and no pay. They have begun to think that if they went to Louisa they would not get it before spring.
 
The name of the company that stacked  the move is Company E, Captain Miller Randolph company.
 
We do nothing here but let the Rebel steal horses right under our noses then after they have got them, start a party of infantry to capture them. They being cavalry and can go 3 miles to our one.
 
We captured a Rebel every few days and sent 8 or 10 to Columbus two weeks ago.
 
Am of the opinion that it will take some time to end the campaign here.
I suppose you have heard of the capture of about $75,000 dols. worth of guns and accouterments up Sandy. Thus it goes our General Crainor is not careful enough of his trains.
 
No more for the present
Yours Truly,
W. A. McClellan, Lt.