Albert Potter Civil War letters vol 1 ***** Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. This message must appear on all copied files. Commercial copying must have permission. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ Submitted by Michael Ruddy For a change of pace, we have a letter to the field from someone who is viewing the events in Ovid, Michigan during the recruiting efforts for Uncle Abraham (not all rushed to the colors, it seems). He is writing to his friend who enlisted in the 4th Michigan, Albert Potter, to tell him of the news. Potter is at Camp Minty in Detroit as the regiment is being readied to go to where the action is: Perryville, KY. Mike Ovid, August 7, 1862 Dear friend Albert Yours came to hand yesterday I am glad you enlisted when you did, it is all excitement here. Every man that is between 18 & 45 years of age is sick or going to be, or lost a finger, or a thumb, or a great toe. Any thing for an excuse. One man has been down to get the Town Board together to appoint him Constable so he could stay at home. Another man has offered $200.00 for a substitute if he is drafted. Another man came 6 miles to tell us that he expected to have the palsy before another winter. It is really laughable. This morning McIntyre, Knowles, Lounsbury, & Smith have gone. Fishbeck and a number of others are still coming. Charles Herdon has enlisted and a good many more from Dupeis? will enlist in a few days. The first call for 300,000, our quota will be filled this week. Next comes 300,000 more 9 months min. I think we are beginning to awake to the subject. It is time we have something to do to crush this rebellion & the sooner we go at it the better by far to do what we have to do. I read a letter from brother John yesterday. They are having warm times there. Rubi wrote yesterday that he started with his regiment in two weeks. I do not know what regiment it is. Gustav is in 2nd with Barber. He is trying to get a discharge. Rubi thinks she will come here this fall. It is lonely enough here. Take good care of yourself. We will try to keep everything straight here. I should not be surprised if George Shepard, Binck & Button enlisted. I will not write anymore this time all well Yours respectfully W H Faxon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Albert Potter comes down with Yellow Jaundice. Eternally optimistic, expects to be out in a day or so. During the entire war he kept trying to get people to write him. The letters from home sometimes are the only bright part of an otherwise terrible day. In the Hospital, New Market Friday Oct 21, 1862 Dear Henry and Debbie I will write you a line this morning. As I have time. I have been in the hospital 3 or 4 days with the yellow jaundice. No wise humid away from Louisville and kept on a forced march for 5 days, it was rather much for me. It is nothing but biliousness humor. I am about well now, Dr Bacon of Dewitt, Clinton county is the Asst Surgeon and a very fine man. We are in a Presbyterian Church in New Market, a dirty little village among the hills. There is about 30 sick now, none dangerous, a little rest will cure them. Our baggage wagons are camped about a mile ahead of us across the river on a rich old Sesesh farm. The Regiment is away after Morgan on a three days scout. I am sitting in the pulpit with pen and ink in the desk where the word of truth has been preached from Sabbath to Sabbath, where prayers have been offered by pious hearts in time past. When Peace reigned, but now , what a contrast! War makes everything different, a change for the worse, it appears... There was a Sesesh paroled prisoner buried here this morning. A regiment of Cavalry was encamped around the Church. There was no acrimony whatever, but few even looked for a moment, he belonged to the 6th Arkansas, a poor deceived following of Jeff. There is a rumor in camp that an armistice of sixty days was being reached upon between the North and South, that a settlement may be brought, but I don't believe it. We know nothing for certain never. Rumors of this and that are flying at all times. ----- send a paper now and then it is a great rarity to see a Michigan Paper or read the news. You may direct to Company B 4th Michigan Cavalry via Louisville, Kentucky and I guess it will find its way, Headqs? follow us up. On our march here we passed the battlefield at Perryville. The battle was fought on Wednesday, we reached there Saturday. What a desolation it was  Sesesh bodies were still lying on the field. Some close by the side of the road, dead horses, dead mules, broken wagons were scattered around. Our dead were all buried. 2500 Sesesh dead were where they lay in a valley yet unburied, they were hurried away without giving them time to bury those killed. One passed 4 hearses on their way back , 3 generals and 1 colonel. That was a picture. I had read about it but never seen it before. It was horrible. I can write everything and & I can't write anything this morning excuse me. I shall leave the hospital tomorrow, I think. John Gilbert has been some sick. Write as often as you can for (?) get much time. Give my love to all. I hope to see you again, from Albert. I understand that our quarters for the winter will be Nashville, but I doubt if we'll be given quarters at all. Bragg and Morgan are both running as fast as they can. Doubtful if they will risk another battle in Ky & T. [note written in margin] I have not received one word from home since I left Detroit. Write Henry and tell everyone to write. [note in margin] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In spite of the optimism in Henry Albert Potter's letter of the 21st, 6 days later we find him still sick in the Hospital in New Market. The regiment moved on leaving him and several comrades to tough it out. New Market KY Monday Oct 27, 1862 Dear Father I had a good chance to get a letter in the office today. So I thought I would write a line. I am in the Hospital. I have had the jaundice pretty bad and then caught some cold. My throat has been very sore. I have put Oil of Hemlock on it so it is much better. I am going to get some Wild Cherry Bark & liquor, make some bitters. I guess that will straighten me. I have taken Calomel Rhubarb for the jaundice. Dr Bacon of Dewitt is the assistant Surgeon. A very nice man. We are in a Presbyterian Church. There is sixty sick here. Two or three are dangerous. The regiment is about 30 miles ahead at Munfordville. We have had about 3 inches of snow here. I suppose up home you have had a foot, perhaps. It is a very pleasant day. The dust which has been very unpleasant has simmered down. They have had no rain here for three months of any account. It is a hard place to get postage stamps here. I wish you would send me a dozen or so when you write. I hope to be with the regiment when we get our Pay for I have not a cent. John Gilbert has been some sick. Bilious as well as myself, but he is with the regiment. I will have to stop. My love to you all and to my friends, Mrs Gilbert especially. Write to your ------? love Albert ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Albert Potter returns from New Market, KY hospital. He is recuperated from Yellow Jaundice and rejoining his comrades in Nashville, having missed the regiment's hunt for CSA Gen John Morgan's Cavalry. He details his method of laundry to his sister for approval and gets a chance to hob-nob with the upper crust at Nashville. Saturday November 15th 1862 In Camp near Nashville, Tenn My dear Sister Having time this afternoon, I thought I would write a line home and tell you of my whereabouts. I am felling nearly as well as ever only I tire out very easy. I have a good appetite. Have just been eating dinner. Had some fried shoulder, sweet potatoes, cold beans, bread and coffee. So you can see we don't live so bad here. It is only when we are on a scout or march that we have hard feed. Then we take it as we can catch it. John G.[John N. Gilbert] is in the hospital at Mitchellsville. He is pretty sick, or was when I was obliged to leave him. He is not in with the rest of the sick but has a good bed in a house near the Station. As he was rather weak, the surgeon did not move him from the place I got for him and I was very glad of it. I have not heard from him since I left and am some uneasy, but hope for the best. Levi Fishbeck is with him he will see to him perhaps as well as I would. I wanted to stay but the surgeon would not consent so I had to come on here. We are camped just across the river from Nashville, the capital of Tenn. I have been through the city, it is a pretty place, about half as large as Detroit. The State House is a splendid building built upon a hill. You can see it 3 or 4 miles from the city in any direction. The country around here is very fine. Nice farm houses with their little cabins in the rear for the darkies. They have no barns in this country of any account. A great many houses have been burnt along the road. The chimnies stand as a bleak monument of the desolation of war. I said we were camped, I only meant a detachment of the regiment under Lt Col Dickinson[Julian G Dickinson]. The regiment is not here nor has it been. They are scouting around after Morgan. We expect them in now every day. There was fighting night before last about 17 miles from here. We think the 4th was engaged, but have heard no particulars. Lieut J.M. Carter[Julius M. Carter] is sick. He is at home near here. He thinks of coming home to get well. Our captain, Frank Mix is now with the company. The boys all like him first rate. I have not seen him yet. We have not drawn our pay yet and I doubt if we get any until the 1st of January. I am clean gone done, no done gone, that's it. I am dead broke. I guess I can stand it though if I don't have it I won't spend it. There is due me now about $40. Mother, I intend to pay you all up as soon as Uncle Sam pays me. Please send down your acct and I will fork over. There must be a right smart of it by this time, I reckon. When you write again tell me about the farming  how much wheat was sown and where? Did they sow Meditteranean on Rhodes farm? How many potatoes was there? And how much corn? Are the horses fat? And all these little things. They are all very interesting to me. You ought to see me do my washing. I washed out a couple pairs of socks yesterday and 4 pocket handkerchiefs today. I rubbed them out in soap suds until I thought they were clean. I then rubbed soap on them after wringing them out and boiled them up in the cooking kettle and then rinsed them out in cold water, was that right? And to iron them rubbed them out with my hands. I am very precise about this for I thought perhaps I might make a mistake. I guess it was all right but the cooking kettle. I send you a Confederate note. It is not the genuine but said to be a facsimile. I sent John a paper printed by the rebel Morgan. It is quite a curiosity. When we came into Nashville the other day I had no horse. I had been riding in the ambulance but when we got in the City I got out and walked and by that means did not keep up with the rest. A gentleman came along in a carriage and I asked him if I might ride a piece with him. He said yes! With the greatest of pleasure! I got in and finding that he lived near where the regt was going thought I would ride all the way. He was a strong Union man. Was a member of the legislature when Tennessee seceded. His name is Trimball. He invited me to stay to dinner. I thanked him very much and excused myself, but he urged me so that I went in. And oh! You ought to have seen the style. I hardly dared to step on the carpets with my dirty boots. He introduced me to his wife, son and daughter and Mr. Richards an aid of Gen Negley's was also there to dinner. For dinner we had three courses Soup first, made of mixed vegetables such as we have in the Army. It is a mixture of cabbage, carrot, tomatoes, peppers, beets and other things all cut up fine. And pressed into cakes about an inch thick and preserved in some way. The 2nd course was a pigs-head, souse, snout and all and sweet potatoes. The 3rd was fried beef, wheat and corn bread all the way through. Cold water to drink in silver cups. After dinner I thanked them very much and took my leave. A friend of mine was to the city to see his cousin as it happened his cousin lived in the next house a large two story brick (Trimball's house stands upon a hill, a splendid house and so richly furnished. So much silver plate etc) and Mrs Trimball happened in. Had an introduction and in the course of the conversation found out that I was in the same company and sent over a very polite invitation to take tea. Isn't that beautiful! For lo! And behold come to find out Mr Trimball is Attorney General of the State. I think I shall go over and marry in the family wouldn't you? Amelia, I have written this little adventure just because I had not much else to write and to show you how the richest families are obliged to live here. On acct of the war sugar is 75 cnts a pound, brown. Coffee $1.00 and hard to get at that. Milk and eggs are out of the question. Apples are 10 cnts a piece, but we bought some a 2 for 5 cnts in camp today. Gen Rosecrans' headquarters is in Nashville. I have not seen him yet. The mail from the North is uncertain. I don't know when you will get this. I am sorry you have to stay at home when you might be at school but perhaps it is all for the best. By reading and thinking you may educate yourself to a certain degree but I think you might perhaps get a school next summer! You might set your mark there and try! Give my love to Emma and Anna and to Mrs Binck and all my friends. I am going to write to Mr Lancers the next I think. You may send a stamp or two in your next letter as they come very handy. It is about nine o'clock. I am sergeant of the guard to night and will have to report myself. My love to you all. Direct to Nashville Tenn, >From your brother, Albert [written around the edge of the letter:] You must excuse scarcity of news this letter is all stuff. Mr Gilbert's folks must not worry about John as he has good care I think he will soon be with us again hope so at least. The weather here is very fine. We have had a fine shower lately, just enough to lay the dust. They days are about such as we have home in Sept. The nights are cool. How is the weather up in Mich.____ [for the curious: John Gilbert got well, then was discharged August 6, 1863 "(leg broken while in line of duty)"] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We find Henry Albert Potter back in the thick of things after his return to the regiment. He tells his mother not to worry about him getting shot and muses perhaps he will never see a real engagement. In Camp in Nashville Dec 2nd 1862 Dear Mother I received your paper today and Amelia’s letter last night and have received all of the letters, stamps and papers you have sent me, I think. I am feeling first rate again. We just got in from a three day’s scout yesterday. We went out on the turnpike to Lebanon after the rebels but they skedaddled before we got there. Sunday afternoon we came up to their pickets and had a light skirmish, no one hurt. Companies B and A were detailed as picket guard that night and it rained. Oh dear! We were not allowed any fires but had to stand it. I was wet as a drowned rat – but did not catch a cold. So you see I am tough. You are foolish to think I am going to get shot or any such thing. Its time enough to think about such things when you have to. Mustn’t look on that side. Well we captured some fine chickens on our scout and consequences was we had an excellent pot pie today for dinner and Lew Wilcox[Lewis H Wilcox] is baking some wheat pan cakes for supper. I must stop until I eat about a dozen or so. Well those cakes were not quite as good as yours for they were a little heavy being about ½ inch thick. But they tasted very good with sugar. Better than hard cracks. I heard from John yesterday he is getting quite smart. Able to walk some. By being careful he will soon be with us again. Alf Shepard[Alpheus F Shepard] wanted me to say for him that he was around. Billy Egleston[William H Egleston] has had a bad earache a day or two. He is well other ways. I don’t want you to send me any more money. I was only telling how hard up I was. If rumors are true we will get our pay this week and then I can send you some. Give my love to George Rhodes. Tell him to improve his time at study, he will never regret it. Tell him to make my respects also to Mr Rhodes family. If Josiah lets old Charley go you must get a mate to Skip, don’t go with out a team. There’s no use of it. Better get another mare to raise a span of colts for me. We take all the good horses we find on our scouts. It seems rather hard but it is right nearly every family in the country about here to Lebanon are rebels. Company B has not been in any battles yet and is not likely to be very soon. You must recollect there are hundreds of regiments and thousands of companies in this great army. We may possibly serve our three years out and not see a large engagement. I have sent the likeness. You may send it to Aunt Nep when you get thro’. I will send another one home when I get a chance. I have no news to tell you this time. Tell GJB I would like to hear from him. I wrote Neiman Lancer a week ago. Write often as you can. I do not always have time to write. I always write every chance. My love to all Albert [written around the margin] I recd Mr Gilbert’s letter. My love to them all. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less than a month ago Henry Albert Potter was telling his mother he might not fight in any engagement. Now comes a letter after the battle of Murfreesboro or Stones River. Potter, like Morris, discusses the burning of the wagon trains which occurred and losing his books and 'likenesses'. Camp Stanley[General David S Stanley, commander of Cavalry under Rosecrans] Near Murfreesboro January 8th 1863 Dear Father, Mother, and Amelia I am not dead, wounded, or sick, but, on the contrary, never felt better in my life. Have since I left Nashville. I can say that I have had an active part in as hard a battle as has been fought during the war. A general move of the army was made on the 26th Ult. The fighting commenced about 10 miles from Nashville the same day and lasted nine days. When the rebels were driven from Murfreesboro. The 4th Michigan has won at least a name and place. On Saturday 27th four companies under Captain Mix were sent out and came upon a strong body of rebel cavalry. There was about 150 of us we charged upon 200 of them, drove them about 2 miles shot 5 of their men, a no. of horses and took 8 prisoners. One of our corporals was wounded in the side. January 9th We have been busy today arranging our tent. We have got a sesesh stove, Table and Bunk, taken from one of their camps. Our Company was engaged in Wednesday’s fight. We made two charges upon rebel cavalry. Capt Mix[Frank W Mix] had a splendid horse shot from under him, our quartermaster Sgt was wounded. I have had 3 or 4 narrow escapes, have been where the cannon ball and shells were flying close around me and I must be lucky. I did not think of getting killed at all but I expected to be wounded. We entered Murfreesboro on Monday. The rebs left Saturday night. Out right was driven back on Wednesday with great slaughter on both sides. I passed over the field Monday. The rebels had carried nearly all of their dead, ours were lying in rows as they had been carried to bury. Horses dead and guns and artillery filled the ground. I can’t tell you anything of the sight. The rebels captured and burnt a part of our train and among the rest our company wagon were stolen excepting what I had on. The likenesses and the books are gone. The captains and lieutenants clothes were all gone. Such are the fortunes of war. John Gilbert was not with us thru the fighting was not very tough and had a pactious? horse he staid with the train. Charley Smith[Charles H Smith] is without doubt dead, he died with the black jaundice as we were informed. Herman Lounsbury[Herman H Lounsbury] is very sick. I am afraid he will have a hard time of it if he ever gets well. Charley Starkweather[Charles A Starkweather] is isolated with a lame back. Alf Shepard and Norman Smith are well. We shall be very busy for a week now making out our payrolls – have a good deal of writing. L J Southworth[Lorenzo T Southworth] is writing home he is well. I am liking soldiering as well as ever, if only I keep well and I never felt better-- Albert [written in the margins:] Give my love to all, and write soon, the news I have not heard from you since I left Nashville. I sent a sesesh envelope and some cottin seed, plant them they will grow. I would have written before but have had no chance to send Direct to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. [The men mentioned, except officers like Mix, are all from Ovid, Clinton County, Michigan] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this letter Henry Albert Potter recounts the charge of the 7th PA and a Union debacle south of Franklin. I am reading MINTY AND THE CAVALRY(1886), by Joseph Vale, Captain 7th PA Cavalry. I condense the story: On March 4, 1863 Minty ordered the charge of the 7th Pennsylvania, using sabres as the principle weapon, which resulted in capture of Unionville, TN. Afterwards General Rosecrans "directed that it [7th PA Cav] be known henceforth, in the department, as the sabre regiment of the Army of the Cumberland." On March 5, 1863 the Union attacked General Nathan Bedford Forrest at Spring Hill with "the 85th Indiana Inf, the 19th Michigan Inf, the 22nd Wisconsin inf, the 124th Ohio Inf, the 9th Pennsylvania Cav, and 4 pieces of artillery." The rebel force at Spring Hill included "Van Dorn and Price's Cavalry to a total of twelve thousand" men. [when you read regimental histories you must be careful of estimates of enemy strength-mr] The information of the disaster and increase in Rebel Cavalry resulted in General Sheridan directing Minty to be sent as reenforcement toward Franklin on March 6th, 1863. The Letter: Near Franklin Sunday Mar 8th 1863 Dear Father I have been thinking of home today. Of the pleasure we could all have if I were there with you all a short time. It is a warm balmy spring day. The birds are singing. The trees are budding and Nature is working quiet and harmonius amid the bustle of the camp. We had a heavy thunder shower last night. But I slept soundly in my little storm tent as dry as a pig. I still keep tough and hearty. I stand camp life and its hardships much better than I thought I would when I enlisted. I believe I feel better than if at home teaching. If I live to come home again you will see me a tough man. This the fifth day out. We started from Murfreesboro last Wednesday morning with a brigade of infantry. We are in the 1st Cavalry Brigade under Col Minty[Robert H G Minty] of this regiment but acting brigadier. He will get a star before long, I believe, every body likes him also and he is a rising man. Lt Col Dickinson[William H Dickinson] has resigned[disability]. Major Park[Josiah B Park] is now Lt Col. He has not been with us much, is acting inspector of cavalry, I think don’t know when he will be with us, if ever. Major Gray[Horace Gray] and Huston[Joseph P Huston] are home recruiting. Have not seen any of their recruits yet. They are not worth anything to us, nor never would be and among the many promotions who else do you suppose has been hit – myself, as true as preaching. I was promoted to 2nd Lieut. The 27th Feb’y and transferred to E Company under Capt Tolton[Joseph B Tolton]. He is a good military man, well drilled, but is not very healthy. I hav been in command of the Comp. ever since have been in it. And expect to be half of the time. J W Mann[Joshua W Mann] is 1st Lt but is detached and in command of the brigade provost guard. He will never be back in the Company, probably, I hope not at least. I do not have near as much to do now as I did when Orderly. My pay is $129 per month, out of that pay $16 per month for forage for horse. Have to hire a darkey and find myself in everything. Still I think I can save considerable. I have bought a coat sack for $15 and vest $6. My straps I got from my predecessor. They are nice ones. We have been paid up to the 31st of October. I rec’d $36.25 cnts. Uncle Sam owes me about $75 yet as an enlisted man. I have to get may discharge papers made out and then be mustered as a com’s’d officer. I have no need to complain but 2 or 3 enlisted men in the reg’t have done as well as I. There are 5 Orderlies that have been such since the reg’t was formed and are likely to stay so. I am the 2nd Orderly promoted over Co. ‘E’s orderly and been assigned over him. He is a clever fellow but not very competent. I must hse him well. I shall still try to do my duty. As long as I do so, I still have friends to help me to anything. I have not got me a very good horse yet.(never had the Bigdon? horse, major Mix owns him.) But shall get one as soon as possible. I can take and receipt for any horse we come across thro the country and will improve the chance. I want to get a good rig throughout to bring home with me. I am glad you have got another mare. You will have a good way to get around and go visiting. I don’t want you to kill yourself fretting or working, but live as easy as you can. Hiram K[Hiram J Knowles] wants me to buy his farm and I don’t know but what it would be a good plan, wouldn’t it? Hiram is not tough. I am sorry poor John[John Gilbert]. I feel lonesome without him. He stood a good chance to be Orderly in Co B if he had not broken his leg. Maybe he can get his discharge. I advised him to, if he could. I think he can. Let Mr. Gilbert read this. I read his letter to John. I have written so much about myself you will think I am getting vain. But I wanted to let you know what my prospects are and have been. Lorenzo[Lorenzo T Southworth] is now QM Serg’t. He heas done as well as anybody could and he deserves it. Charley S[Charley A Starkweather] is back with the Co. He is well again. Lewis Coon is dead. He is from [Duplain], I believe. Alf Shepard has been sick as long time. He will be discharged, he tells me. Norm Smith is very sick. If he lives he will do well. His is a good boy. I like Norman and hope he will get well Oh! how I would like some Maple Sugar. I you think there is any chance to get it to me you may send a little box and anything else you think I would like. Send to Murfreesboro and write before you send. You will have to send by express, if at all. Now I must tell you about our scout. The first day out we surprised about 600 graybacks, made a charge on them and captured about 50 of them. A capt and 2 lieuts. The 7th Penn was ahead with their sabres They won’t stand the sabres. They all know the 7th. They call them the fighting 7th and hate them accordingly. We go out in such numbers that unless there is a large force of them they won’t stand. I hve not had a chance to fire my pistol since the big battle. Our Brigade has captured about 400 since then. I should judge. Now I must tell you some bad news. We had 1500 men captured last Friday. Infantry, Col Gilbert of the 19th Mich was com’d’g the brigade. He is a new officer and too fast. He was out Thursday and attacked and drove the rebs. The next day flushed with victory, attacked them. They run as usual. He followed them on and on until from each side and behind a swarm of the enemy came out and they were cut off. Fighting was useless and they were captured, the most of them. The Col got away, I believe. A smart man is needed to lead men successfully. Van Dorn is encamped 5 miles from here and Wheeler’s Cavalry. They are reported 15,000 strong and are saucy. There will be another big battle before long, I think. 30,000 men are here, so said. But I doubt it we will probably move in the morning and maybe will have a battle, can’t tell. I don’t know how this letter will get thru! Write. Give my love to all my friends. To Mr Gilbert especially and Mrs Longham. Direct to Co "E" instead of "B". Good bye. I never forget Home sweet Home