Rogers, Robert – June 24, 1863

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/rogers-robert/
Regiment: 8th Michigan Cavalry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Lexington June 24th/63 Dear Sister, I received yours of the 14th and 22nd and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you were well. I have been quite unwell since I wrote to you but am some better now but am very weak yet. We have been on forced marches and I have been along all but two days. We left Hickman’s Bridge one week ago last Saturday night after some guerillas. We marched all night Saturday night and all day Sunday, Monday in the afternoon we camped within about 25 miles of the Cumberland Mountains. We camped within there till the next morning then all that was able, started the next morning before daylight for the mountains. There was about 16 of our company left to take care of the camp. I was one of them that was left. They got to where the Rebels were about 3 o’clock. The 10th Kentucky had engaged them as soon as they saw our Regiment and the 9th Mich. they run up the sides of the mountains. Our men had a battery and they let the shells fly up after them. Lively there was but two Co. of Regts. that shot with their rifles. Our Co. was guard for the Battery. They took about 90 prisoners and over 100 horses. I don’t know how many was killed of the Rebels, there was only two of our Regt. that got scratched at all. The Rebel prisoners said they did not want to fight against such guns as we had for we kept shooting all the time without loading our rifles shoot seven times and our revolvers six without loading. We left our camp near Mt. Sterling yesterday morning and got here about 11 o’clock last night. They are getting the horses shod today. We expect to go to Hickman’s Bridge tomorrow. Erastus is well. He was in the skirmish, the boys found all sorts of stuff that the Rebels had stole from the stores. Erastus did not have a chance to get anything for he was on picket as soon as the fight was over. The wheat looks good where we have been. It is not ready to cut. No more at present. Write soon and Direct as before. Yours in the cause of Liberty. From your brother, Robert Helen Rogers