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Regiment: 2nd Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Head Quarters 1st Batt. 2nd M.C.
Camp Near Riongi Miss. July 29 ‘62
Mr. Potter
Dear Sir:
Permit me to drop you a few
lines while I am granted the opportunity I have nothing
new as regards any more fights or skirmishes here to
relate you. We did however move out very early yester-
day morning with the expectations of having a battle
but after a dusty & wearisome journey of some 30 miles in
scouring the country we finally came to the conclusion that
we leave disappointed more expectations. We heard that
we were to be attacted this morning so we went out
yesterday morning to meet them All we got as a
reward for our journey was three prisoners, one of
which was a Lieut in the Secesh Army. We captured
him in a house. He was riding a mule when first seen
& was dressed in citizen clothes & had all the appear-
ance of a citizen but one little thing in which we
detected him, & that was, he gave us an officer’s salute
at which we told him that he was our “Huckleberry”
for such things were not practicable only in the army
He owned up the corn, was on his way to a sick Plant
er. by the names of Mitchell, for some money to support
the rebelion, Said Mr. Mitchell finds himself under
arrest now. I tell you Mr. Potter I am getting
disgusted with this style of fighting, using half of our
soldiers to guard property & crops for people who will
use the same property to help on this rebellion & who
would at the slightest opportunity kill the very men
who are placed as guards to protect themselves & proptery
We have lost enough precious blood already, & too much
just for using so many of our soldiers for this one thing.
It is being played out & I am heartily glad of it. I
say make our enemies supported as for a possible.
Use all of our men who enlist to fight for that purpose
& if possible suppress this rebellion immediately.
The call for more troops from Mich & other Males will un-
doubtedly be met with a quick response &yet there will
be a king of a dred to those who enroll their names
on account of so many coming home looking so badly
mangled up & the thoughts of others who will never
return, But we cannot hesitate & hold back on account
of this if we would save our country Fathers must not
say, my son is too good, too precious to sacrifice
for my country & yet they cannot help but mourn where
they see them marching right into the jaws of death. &
yet we must submit to this or else we are a lost & ruined
people. Officers must no longer look for the “loaves & fishes”
but press forward to conquer or die. I tell you Mr. Potter
I can sympathize with fathers who have sons in the war
to a great extent but not as having one there myself
You have a son in the war continually expose to death
by both the weapons of warfare & disease. You know not
when or how soon, the mournful sound will fall upon
your ear, “
my son is dead!” Truly there are many anxious
hearts trembling in fear of such sad intelligence! Mothers &
sisters are this day weeping of dear ones But let them morn
for the perilous condition of their country & trust to God for
the protection of their sons brothers & dear ones. I would that
this great disturbance might be settled before sundown tonight but I fear
that many days and perhaps years may pass away before this will
be. Your son Chas. is well & looks finely he is one of my particular
friends & always did his duty whenever I detailed him without grum
bling. he is a good boy & I shall ever remember him, L. Waterman
& myself are complaining now days with the jaundice I am
afraid we will be as Ira was I was quite sick last night
but awful is much better today I was up with Lieut Van Gordon
all night or as long as I could sit up, He got kicked some two
weeks ago & is not expected to live, thought he was dying last
night. You have heard I suppose that I am not in Co. M. now
I am assigned to Co F. & am acting as Adjutant for the 1
st Batt.
I miss however with Capt Dickey as I did before, see the boys
most every day, Wing is in my tent now reading the news
The rest of the Homeboys whom I have not mentioned by name
are well. I will go over & see Charley before mailing this & it
may be he will want to put in a few words, Ira H is here &
looks finely, guess he was kept well down there. The weather is
extremely warm here at present but we have a very shady cam-
ping place which adds very much to our comfort & shelters us
from the burning sun. The most dangerous part of the season
we are now. experiencing & it is more to be feared than the
weapons of warfare much sickness exists in our Camp
& throughout the country. Corn is pleanty large enough to roast
(we make it useful.). Apples peaches tomatoes are getting ripe I had
some of each yesterday. Some new potatoes &c.
I hear that drafting will be resorted to up there
I am glad on some accounts but still I would rather see
Michigan send out her quota without drafting a man.
Are there as many “Seceshers” in town as usual? What do you
think of this war any way? & what does Mr. French think
of it? Had I time I would give you my opinion in full, my
faith & my courage have neither of them failed or lessened a
particle but I do feel as though we must wake up to a real-
ization four sense of duty & use the howitsers, the field pieces,
the five shooters, the muskets, & the sabres more the pickax &
spade less. no more at present
Your most humble servant
R. T. Darrow
2nd Lieut & Actg. Adj’t.
1st Batt. 2nd M.V.C.
