Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/paddock-byron-d/
Regiment: 1st Michigan Light Artillery
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Henry Moses Judah
Hd Qrs Battery F 1st Mich Lt Arty
2nd Div 23rd Army Corps
Red Clay, GA May 6th 1864
My Dear Hattie
We have form into camp at this
place for a day or two for the purpose of resting men
and horses and also to try and find out what the
enemy are doing. We are within 12 miles of Dalton
and suppose that the Rebel Army is in large force
at that place. Fifteen of my men returned from
home yesterday evening and with them came your
brother Bradley. He had started for Knoxville to see
me but found that I had arrived and he got off
the cars at Cleveland and came in here.
You may be sure that I was agreea-
bly surprised to see him. Should sooner have expec-
ted a visit from the man in the morn.
His stay will be short as the Army will doubtless
arrive in the morning and he does not care to go
farther to the front as he expects to be mustered out
of the service in a few days. Wish he had come
whilst I was at Knoxville as I cold have made
his visit much more pleasant for him.
My left eye is getting worse suppose it is
on account of the hot sun. Have had to be exposed
to the hot sun from morning till night of late.
Lt. Holbrook is unwell and the other Lieuts are
new hands and the noon/6 falls on me to do for
the present.
Had my valise stolen last night and
with it went nearly all my clothing. Arriving the
contents were that smoking cap and nearly all
the dried fruit that you gave me. It is too bad.
The cap was so comfortable and convenient besides
I prized it highly because it came from you.
The fruit I had kept to use when I went into the
field and now that we cant get much to eat it
could have been so good. Lost all the pants that
I had except a common pair of soldiers blue that I
wore in the march. All my towels but one all my
socks but two
[ ? ] cotton the
[ ? ] hat I had. (have had
to borrow one) In fact it has left me about destitude
of clothing and what is worse cant buy any more
in this part of the country. You can tell the
Nethier that my baggage is
in reality pretty nearly
reduced to a standing collar and tooth brush.
A large Army is advancing on Dalton in three
columns. I am in the one on the left.
Gen. H. M. Gudah inspected the Battery today and
Bradley had a chance to see what for
an appearance
I make no command of a battery. Just engnirs
of him about it for
I know you are anxious to be
informed and if I should tell you should try
and make you believe that I made a very fine military
appearance. One section of my Battery is at Charleston
Tenn with 20 men.
Where I shall be or when I can write you again
I dont know but will write just as often as possible
Cant get but little for my horses and mules
to eat and they die rapidly. Have lost 4 horses and
5 mules within one week. Were we not so near
the enemy I should report myself unfit for duty on
account of my eyes but as it is will go on with the
Army if I loose both. For I know that if I went
to the rear now some persons would say that I
was afraid and wanted some excuse to get out of
danger. The heat of the sun is bad on my eyes
and I am glad when
[ ? ] evening comes
Darling I wish I could be out of the service and
with you and if my eyes dont get better soon perhaps
I may try and resign. The General has had some
of my men arrested for shooting and I must
go and see him about it.
Good night with love of
Byron
