Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/norton-sylvester-r/
Regiment: 18th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
KY
Stanford Apr 2 1863
Dear Hattie
I last wrote you from
Lancaster Since that time we all have been
on the go about all the time when we
got back to this place I heard Such big
yarns that it almost Scared me & having
a few minutes leisure time thought 1
write to you that you might know I am
Still alive for I presume you have heard
Some of the Stories of Battles fought within the
last ten days & no doubt feel anxious to hear
from me as I am from you for it is two
weeks yesterday Since I heard from you but expect
to get a heep of them all at once today or Monday
last Monday morning we struck tents and Started
for here but got to the River four miles from
Lancaster & were ordered to go another direction
So we had to go back to Lancaster then to Crab
Orchard that day 12 miles from Lancaster
the Bridge was burned by the Rebs & we had to
cross the River Dix River om a
thing made of
Waggons we got to Crab Orchard about 11
oclock Slept in the Same Buildings that are used
as Summer houses it is a Pleasure town
with a number of Sulphur Springs about
there Tuesday morning we started again
at 5 oclock took breakfast about two miles
from town in the woods that day we had
to cross Some pretty big hills & it made
my legs ache Some. In the afternoon we
had quite a hard Snow Storm with plenty
of wind that night we camped in the
woods 18 miles from Crab Orchard & about 10
from Somersett where they had quite a Battle
in the evening we heard that the Rebs had
got whipped out & that we wer to
have a hand in the Mass the rebs had
about 3000 oyur forces hav not half that
number but the rebs got quite a thrashing
our side took about 300 prisoners killed 3-7 took
from 2 to 300 cattle they wer driving off & lost
6 men a great many of the rebs wer drowned
in crossing the river (Cumberland)
but I must tel you about our camp in the
woods wee got into the woods about 5 oclock
built large fires in front of them, then cooked
our Suppers & went to bed not quite as
comfortable as a feather bed but it done very well
you ought to have Seen us while there,
the Supper consisted of a cup of Strong coffee
made in our tine cups (not Settled with Eggs
either), a chunk of Pork roasted on a stick and
Some hard tack it tasted good too I had
a piece of cheese with mine which made it
go a little better. As there was no use
for us at Somersett we wer ordered back to
Stanford Wednesday we marched to crab orchard
I do not know how long we may Stay here
but probably not long it is thought we will
go back to Danville & Stay awhile but it is
not certain I have not the time to
write much of a letter now for I have
clothing to give out & charge and Some
requisitions to make for clothing & rations which
will keep me busy for four or five days but
having a few leisure moments today while others
are resting thought I would let you know
that non of the 18 are killed wounded or
missing in the late Battle
case we wee
want thar but I did not know what
Stories would reach you and feared if you
did not hear from me you would get worried
about it. Wee have had Some Splendid
weather lately & things begin to Show the
effects of it Peach trees begin to Bloom
the buds are Starting on the trees Farmers are
Plowing that is those that have teems
to do it with for the rebs took horses as well
as cattle you wil hear the particulars of
the raid in the Papers I do not pretend
to know much about it for wee don’t have
the chance to I must close for this time
assuring you that I am well but of course
feeling Some tired after our long tramp of
over 150 miles Since wee wer here before
which will be two weeks Sunday
give my respects to your mother and
the children with Love to you I close the
poor apology for a letter from
your afectionate Husband
S.R. Norton
Co B 18 Mich V I
Danville
KY
