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Regiment: 1st Michigan Engineers
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George Thomas
Somerset Ky. Feb. 11th 1862
My Dear Ida.
Yours of the 30th ult. came to
hand on Sunday. There has been considerable
delay in your letters reaching me, but I have
finally got them all as numbered. I have
also received several papers. The one in which
my letter to you is published has not yet ar-
rival, but Capt. Sligh got one, which was circu-
lated some in camp. If my letters contain
any information worth publishing, I have no
objection to its being done; but should have
taken more care, had it supposed
that one would
appear in print. I gave the information just
as I got it from the most reliable sources.
The stories of eye witnesses varied considerable in
particulars, as you must be aware from the varied
descriptions of correspondents.
I wrote the evening
after the battle, + we did not hear the result of
the affair at the rebel intrechments, (10 miles
from us) until the next morning, where I gave
the information as brought by the messenger.
He was wrong mainly in two things-They had no
pontoon bridge, + Zallicaffer had been superceded but
a short time before by Geo. Blerittendeu-+ was 2
nd
in command. He was 1
st in the battle
[ ? ],
[ ? ] C. not
being seen, + the prisoners taken say they did
not see him after they left this works.
The number of our killed was 39. Probably 20 have
since died of their wounds. One hundred + fourteen
rebels were buried by Capt. Harrning (Co. G.) whose Co. was
detailed for that purpose. He says he saw several
bodies on the ground the night after the battle
that could not be found next day. Besides Sr. Col.
Carter (20
th Ky) who was taken prisoner, said their wagons
command taking off the dead + wounded, soon after
the battle command, we were ordered to take 45
uninjured prisoners + guard them. Three days af-
ter the battle, Col. Hunton detailed me to take
them to Somerset. I went to see Genl. Thomas for in-
structions + get dispatches. Took 40 of my company +
marched them through, (ten miles) + delivered them
to General Schoepf
f. He is a fine looking officer
very much of a gentleman. I took dinner with
one of the aids + was the guest Maj. Boynton of
the 35
th Ohio (who was in command at this time)
for the night. Had a pleasant time.
Next day as per Generals instructions went to the Cumberland river six miles
to ascertain what the facilities were for crossing.
Returned at night. Col. Hunton with the balance
of the detachment had just arrived. Next day
went to the river with the Col. + the day fol-
lowing moved down. The river at its present
stage is 430 ft. wide, very deep + quite rapid.
Like all streams in a mountainous country it
is subject to sudden rise.
The general appearance of the country is better
than must we have paped over, + better cullinated.
The people too are better informed.
It was decided that we put in four rope ferries,
the boats to be 16 X 16 ft. Capt. Sligh was sent
to Louisville to get rope pullies spikes to while
Capt. Harrning got in the logs
aud manufactured
the lumber. To me was assigned getting out the
timber for
[ ? ] + building them.
Before we had the timber all out we received
orders to build a steamboat also, + commenced
on that.
Also General Thomas’s Division was expected
to cross + probably outflank
[ ? ]. While we
were working away in earnest, fr. Henry was
taken which opened the Tennessee + Cumberland
rivers. This changed the
[ ? ] + General T-
was ordered with his division back to Lebanon. One
week prior, Col. Hunton + Capt. Roper (Division Commission) were ordered
to proceed across the river + some two miles into
the country to examine the roads + contract for
forage +c. The effect was-everybody thought the
whole force was going to proceed at once to Knoxville
interrupt the communication on the Rail Road.
Several regiments
of did actually cross on a small
ferry. It is quite evident it was done for strategetic
purposes, + had the desired effect-viz, to draw away
My health is quite good though I did not escape the
[ ? ], I
have entirely recovered from it now. Yours affectionately P.V.Fox
Rebel troops from western Ky, just at the time where
all was ready for are advance on fr. Henry + leolum
bus. The ball is started, + I fancy the storm is fast
gathering that will shipwreck the Southern Confeder-
acy, which will be known but in
[ ? ], in a few
weeks longer.
Since we have be on the Cumberland, our men
have been afflicted with
[ ? ] + there have been
a few cases of typhoid fever. On Sunday the sick
were sent to Somerset + some forwarded to Lebanon by
the Division trains. Noah Perkius 2
nd Sergt. of my Co.
C.L.
[ ? ] from near
[ ? ]ville, with rheumatism +
James Galt of B
[ ? ], were also left. A.F. Richards +
Chap. Van Nostraud of Grand Rapids have been sent
on to Lebanon. Yesterday we came to this place, one
mile north of town. During the night a snow storm
came on we did not start this morning-perhaps shall
before noon. Now comes the most painful part of
my duty-to record the death of one of our corporals
George H. Fausler of Allegan County. He was strong,
acive + healthy, + had endeared himself to all by his
amiable disposition + goodness of heart. He was always
at his post when called for duty, +
[ ? ] from no hard-
ships. He was attacked with diarrhea which proved very
obtinate, + it was with considerable
[ ? ] than he was induced
to go into the hospital. He took a violent cold which brought
on congestion of the lungs + he lived but three days. He died at
11 ½ Oclock P.M. the 7
th insr “Everything hat could be, was done for him,
we buried him on the bank of the Cumberland with military honors
He was put in a black walnut coffin which was enclosed in a red cedar box. We raised
a stone on which was cut the inscription Geo. H. Fauster Co. D. 1
st Reg. Mich, Enig. + Mech. died Feb. 7
th 1862. We also put a red cedar paling around his grave.
[On Envelope:]
Mrs. P.V. Fox
Grand Rapids
Mich.
