Albert Potter Civil War letters vol 7 Copyright © 1998 by Michael Ruddy. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ Henry Albert Potter tells of a battle and his favorite horse being shot. John B Hood having escaped with what was left of his Army heads for Tennessee and after some bumbling first a disaster at Franklin followed up by the destruction of his Army at Nashville. "You may talk about your Beauregarde and sing of Bobby Lee, But the gallant Hood of Texas he played hell in Tennessee........" Mike Rome Ga. Oct 24th Dear Father You are all anxious to hear a word and just one word I can write. I am well and all right. I wrote last on the 12th from this place. We had a fight on that day. I had a horse shot - a splendid gray. Thro’ the neck used him up. We were fighting cavalry. Next day we went for them again and whipped them thoroughly. Captured their artillery and 15 prisoners. Drove them into the mtns while leading a charge with a dozen men. I had my other horse shot dead. We charged up a hill and were within 30 feet of their line when "Old Tom" fell. A square shot thro’ the head – no doubt it saved my life. Three inches higher would have taken me in the breast. I am here now with an ambulance train from Gaylesville with sick and wounded. We had a fight Saturday. Hood[General John B Hood CSA] is near Blue Mts. Sherman close upon him. I must close Affectionately Albert Tell John to send the drawers and shirt by mail. I cannot come home. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Albert Potter and his regiment are "all around the water tank waitin' for a train" to take them to Nashville and thence to Louisville KY for remount. There is one more lettera after this one before he goes home on leave. The election came and went in the Army and the results are not yet known. Mike(apologies to JR) Head Quarters 4th Mich Cav Chattanooga Nov 10th 1864 Dear Father This regiment, what there is left of it at the point, has got as far back to the rear as this place where we have been waiting four days for transportation to Nashville. Every car is jammed full of infantry so far. And I don’t know when we will get through. We have had rain every day for nearly a week and everything is mud, mud, MUD. I would rather be at the front than here -- if this continues. I am well and hearty nothing can make me sick and I am thankful for it. Election day was rainy and squally, but all went quietly. No noise. No fighting. No electioneering. Soldiers vote as they fight systematically. As far as heard from Lincoln is far ahead. Little Mac [Gen George McClellan-USA] gets the cold shoulder of all the army and deserves nothing better for standing on such a platform. We prefer Lincoln and four more years of war if need be than McClellan and an independent South. You have no idea of our Army. Our gallant army and can never have by other means than experience. No letters and newspaper correspondence can give you an correct impression of the numbers and determination. Sherman I think intends to evacuate Atlanta and cut loose from all supplies and sweep a broad track thro’ Georgia and the Confederacy, leaving Thomas to look after Hood and make our line the Tenn River for future operations. Nothing would demoralize the South more in her present state than such a raid as you may call it thro’ her heart. Rumor says the Cavalry goes to Louisville to remount. You may even see me home yet. Know I am well and remain Your affectionate Son Love to all Henry A Potter -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commercial Hotel, Nashville Monday Nov 14th 1864 Henry Albert Potter goes directly to headquarters to insure his leave of absence gets through. For those of you curious about army red tape, I have included the leave of absence request with all of its meanderings before it finally became a fact Mike My Dear Father I have got a leave of absence for (20) twenty days approved this day. I shall start on the 7 o’clock train for Louisville tomorrow morning. The regiment is there now, went there yesterday. I wanted to get my application. Took it up in person and it is all right. I shall stop at Louisville to get my Pay and will write you from there. With no bad luck I will see you all ere long. Until then, I am Yours affectionately Henry A Potter Capt 4th Mich Cav [THE LEAVE OF ABSENCE GRANTED POTTER] [LETTER OF REQUEST] Head Quarters 4th Mich Cavalry Nashville November 13th 1864 AA General Department of the Cumberland Sir; I most respectfully ask that a leave of absence be granted me to visit Ovid Mich for 30 days for the following reasons viz: My company is very small, there being less than 20 for duty and my 1st LT is present for duty. I have nver applied fo a furlough or leave of absence since coming into the service and _Have Never Been Home_. I have been in the service upwards of two years and have recently been mustered for for _Three Years_ longer. My business in Ovid is in a deplorable condition from prolonged absence and it is necessary that I have a short time to make arrangements so that my still longer absence will [rest of letter not found-mr] [ACTUAL LEAVE REQUEST] Head Quarters 4th Mich Cavalry Nashville Tenn Nov 13th 1864 Potter P530 Capt Henry A Respectfully asks for leave of absence for 30 days Stating as reasons that his Co is very small and 1st Lt present for duty -- That he has been in service upwards of 2 years and has never had a leave of absence granted him -- That he has but recently been mustered for 3 years longer -- that his business is in a bad state at home from prolonged absence and that it is necessary that he have a short time to make proper arrangements so that hsi still longer absence will not be so disastrous as a citizen at home while serving as a soldier in the field. ---------------------------------------------- The applicant is within the limit of 5 per cent of the aggregate strength of the class to which he belongs L B Eldridge Capt Com'd'g 4th Mich Cav ---------------------------------------------- Respectfully forwarded recommended L B Eldridge Capt Com'd'g 4th Mich Cav ---------------------------------------------- Hdqtrs 2nd Cav Div Reapply for at Louisville when the Regt is concentrated. There will be two Comdg off present Approv 20 days K Garrard Brig Gen Comdg Div ------------------ HQu Cavly Corps M D M Nashville Nov 13 1864 Respectfully forwarded to HQ Mily Div Miss APPROVE JH Wilson Bvt Maj Genl Comdg ------------------------------- 551 DC Granted SOD HMC Nov 14 /64 S703124?1 Nov 14, 64 JW ------------------------- [LEAVE OF ABSENCE] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND Nov 14, 1864 SPECIAL FIELD ORDER NO 312 Extract Leave of Absence for 20 days is granted to Capt Henry A Potter 4 Mich Cavy By Command of Major General Thomas Southard Hoffmann Assistant Adjutant General --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Albert Potter back from leave, is "outfitting" 4th Michigan Cavalry "H" Company using the horses of Louisville, KY. Uncle Sam wouldn't get Louisville horses for $150 nowadays. Mike HdQrs 4th Mich Cav Dec 20th, 1864 Dear Father We are still here just where we were. I do not think we will move until next week. I am busy now on my papers and Returns. The desk is just the thing. Could not be better, if we stay here a week longer I will finish up my Returns. The weather is wintry some snow ground frozen. Col Park[Colonel Josiah Park] resigned cause Physical Disability and a no of others which make many new officers. Our horses are very good. I drew sorrel horses for my company. Always had bays before do not like the changes. We have pressed a great many horses in the City. Before I got back our regiment was stationed on every road leading out of the city to take all horses coming out or going in and all we could find in the stables anywhere in the city. Rather droll times it made too. Twas not strange to see a man drawing his own carriage or holding up the neck yoke on one side while one horse which the boys would not take drawing his wagon along. Even now you will see drays turned up along the road where horses have been taken. The livery stables were all gutted of their fast stock and Uncle Sam’s boys are now riding them by their old owners doors in triumph. Government pays about $150 now for horses. Have you bought the Knowles place yet or can’t you get a bargain out of the old man, get it if you can, we can’t do better. I shall not need any boots now when I want them will send for them. Had a very pleasant trip thro’. Must close. Love to you and all, respect to Mr. Marvin and family. Write me when you can. Send stamps, You aff. Son H A Potter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Albert Potter writes to his sister Amelia about the capture of Jefferson Davis by the 4th Michigan at Irwinsville, Georgia. Head Quarters 4th Mich Cav Macon, Ga. May 14th 1865 Dear Sister I rec’d another letter from you tonight dated Apr 31st telling me of John Castner’s death and Briggs Maning’s and stating that you had written the same before. I have not recd any letters between dates Apr 8 and 31st. The $20 dollars from John came thro’ safe - recd it Sunday. Was surprised to hear of John’s death. He was such a healthy fellow. What ailed him? I thought much of John. You have doubtless heard that Jeff Davis was captured by the 4th Mich Cavalry. He is now on his way to Washington. You will also know, I presume, a lot of stories of his capture. Our regiment was not all out. I was the one that staid back in Macon. I was President of the Board of Examination for a candidate for commission in colored regiments and was ordered to stay by the Brigade command. I am thus particular in telling why I was not out – for those men and officers names who went out will probably be published and a great blow made about their bravery. I do not think any particular man or officer is entitled to more credit because he happened to be with the party that captures Jeff – they were lucky that’s all, While I and Maj. Eldredge[L Briggs Eldredge, Lapeer, MI] and others who staid back on duty are unlucky. There was no bravery about it. Davis’ whole party numbered only about 25 and we surprised them while in bed. And there would not have been a shot fired at all if he 1st Wisconsin Cavalry which was hunting for Jeff and came up after our regiment had taken him had not mistaken us for the enemy. The two regiments had quite a fight - we lost two killed and one officer wounded. It will make a good record for the old 4th to go home with. It is late and I must close. Don’t know when I will get home - don’t be impatient I shall come as soon as I can. The war is ended. Love to you and mother and all. Your Brother Albert --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Henry Albert Potter writes with a sour grapes attitude of the capture of Jefferson Davis. He doesn't hold any punches in his discription of Jeff Davis and Howell Cobb -- in his opinion all the leaders should be hanged. But he exhibits a special respect for the Southern Fighting man as his brother in the battle. He perceives that the fight existed due to the leaders who could not make peace and holds no grudge against the Southern Soldier, who he feels will make a "good citizen." Head Quarters 4th Mich Cav Near Macon Ga May 19 1865 Dear Father I rec’d a letter from Amelia dated Apr 31st which is the latest I have from home. We are expecting a mail in a day or two from Savannah. The first on we rec’d came via Mobile, the second via Chattanooga and Atlanta. We are having very warm weather here but a fine shower last night has laid the dust a day or two. Wheat is nearly ripe. We have green peas, radishes, and mulberries and strawberries are about all gone. Will have cucmbers in a few days. Cherries are getting ripe. We keep hearing rumors of moving all the time but don’t know how much truth there is in that story. When we do move I think we will move towards the Tennessee River and also towards home. I rather think we will be mustered out before the 28th of August but will not be disappointed if we are not. The time at any rate will soon pass around. I suppose you have seen or will the particulars of Davis’ capture before this reaches you. He is now on his way to Washington. Col. Pritchard is alos gone. He has been recommended for Bvt. Brig. Gen. I understand by Gen [James] Wilson - if it hadn’t been for my bein on a Board of Examination I should have been along, when the regiment went out, after him, and shared the honor. I hear there are to be medals given to those who took a prart inm his capture - so far as the bravery is concerned , and all that which you will see in the papers, that is all nonsense. There was men along at his capture that never fired a gun since they came into the service. But the fact that they gobbled up old Jeff will be enough to put their name in history - us fellows that staid back claim the honor of belonging to the old 4th Mich Cavalry and are satisfied with that. When I was at Chickamauga I sent to you or John for a pair of boots, if you have not sent them, you need not. I have had me a pair made at Macon. I got all the stock for nothing except the fronts for which I paid $2. It is fine French Calf, paid $5 for making them. Whole cost $7. Sewed boot. Cheap enough. I am also getting me a suit of citizens clothes made here it is rather homely but they charged $2.50 per yard at the stores in the city all the suit costs me is the making of it. I am also getting me up a saddle here which I shall bring home with me. We captured here in the arsenals some of the finest leather I ever saw. It is English leather Russet and has run the blockade. The saddle tree was made here our saddler Sergeant is covering it for me. I am havin ti made in regular Mexican style, Gambadoer, Zapideros and all. The saddle in Detroit will be worth $50. It will cost me about $15. Our Head Quarters are in a house. A very cosy place by the way so much more cool than a tent. Well the great Slaveholder’s rebellion is over and its leaders are nearly all in our possession. I have seen and talked with biggest one among them all - Jeff Davis. We all think he will be hung and hope so too. I feel sorry for his wife and children – not so much for her as the children, for she is haughty, scornful and insulting as any women I ever saw. If she is a lady, I failed to discover it. But the children are pretty and innocent as yet and I pity them. I have seen Howell Cobb also an ugly looking old devil - needs hanging. As a general thing, every one down here admits they are whipped thourought and they are now anxious to know what we-uns will do with them - they know they lose their slaves and many of them will not be disappointed if they lose their land too. The Southern soldiers are gland it is over, to a man and are willing to say they are whipped , tho’ most of them will make good citizens - if we have any more trouble here it will be from some brawling cowards who have staid home while their relations were fighting for them in a place where they dare not go. My motto is hang the leaders the rest of the bad ones will subside or leave the country. Your affectionate son Albert [written on the edges] [Lorenzo T]Southward, [Charles A]Starkweather and [Alpheus F]Shepard [all from Ovid Michigan]are all well. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Atlanta Ga. Friday PM May 26th 1865 Dear Ones all We just arrived at this place. Left Macon Tuesday May 23rd. Marched through by land. We will leave this place tomorrow morning for Chattanooga by land. Will get there the latter part of next week. I am well as usual. Our boys are very healthy generally. We are having warm dusty marching but thank [?] we are going where it is cooler. Cannot tell when I will reach home. We will march to Nashville with our stock if possible. May be home by July 21st but hardly expect to. This city is a perfect wreck. All the business part is burned. I stay at the Gate City House tonight the only hotel I the place. My love to all. Will write from Chattanooga. Your affectionately Henry A Potter dz