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Regiment: 8th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside, George L. Hartsuff
Headquarters, 2
nd Brigade, 1
st Division, 23
rd Army Corps
Camp Nelson
August 5
th 1863
Dear Father,
We moved here Sunday PM. The 2
nd unit coming by rail from Covington to Nicholsville.
The camp has been moved from its former pleasant ground to one in the woods where the
axe had to be used to make roads and places for tents. Perhaps you have heard, for bad
news travels swiftly, that Colonel Stockton and his command, remaining here, were
placed in arrest. It happened this way. The boys got to be quite disorderly, stealing,
killing pigs, chickens, etc. when complaint was made to General Hartsuff at
Lexington. He ordered the regiment moved inside the lines. Colonel Stockton
learning of this order wrote General Hartsuff a line requesting a delay until the
balance of the regiment returned as they were expected daily. In reply to this
request General Hartsuff ordered the Colonel and his command in arrest and
another regiment around the camp to guard it. Colonel Stockton was thus relieved
of his command of Post and although the arrest was removed in two or three days,
still he is not restored to the command of the Post.
Colonel Stockton is not well. His health has been poor for over a month and yesterday
got so bad that we insisted that he got to come private house for change of diet and rest.
So he has gone to Mr. Scott’s, my old place. They will soon fix him up there, but he is
not fit for the exposure of camp life and duties and must soon, I think, resign. Sometimes
I feel almost discouraged in regard to our regiment. There is much incompetence among
our officers. The men are, as a whole, a fine body of men but need discipline very much.
They fight willingly and bravely. We do not now number 600 men, where they have
gone no one seems to know. We were never a full regiment. Still we ought to have
more men than that now. Several officers have resigned, some on account of ill
health and others due to a court martial.
The Buffington fight, Lieutenant Colonel Wormer asked me to take command of a
company. The Captain of which has resigned but his resignation has not yet been
approved by General Burnside. It is the 3
rd best company in the regiment and if his
and the Captain’s resignation is accepted and I receive a commission I may accept it. My
inclination strongly leads me that way still the urgent appeals of yourself, Mother and
Sister that I remain in the Commissary Department have caused me to waiver some in my
decision. I cannot tell how I shouldfeel if I were a parent, but I think if I had but one
child and that child a son, I should say to him go, fight for your country, shun not danger
when your duty calls; By your ability and bravery seek to prove an honor to your
country.
If he did not want to go into the Army I would shove him in or out of the house. And if
he proved cowardly, I would tell him never to let me see his face again. If I am ever
blessed in having a boy on whom I may look and say “he is mine own” my feelings may
change. I think not however.
For the present, at any rate, I am doomed to the Commissary Department. Colonel
Mott, Acting Brigadier General, has saved my place during the past month and now
although I sought to be relieved, insists on my remaining on his staff. Colonel
Stockton and Lieutenant Wormer wished me to remain in the regiment. Colonel
Mott even threatened to issue an order keeping me so I must remain. It is only extra
duty without extra pay, unless Colonel Mott should be Brigadier General.
In the course of 3 or 4 weeks we shall probably move down into Eastern Tennessee
as the rebels are pretty well used up in this state.
The pants came duly to hand but they are not dark blue if that kind was ordered. I will
return these.
Will you please see Mr. Howard, the War Claim Agent, next to Seitz’s Bank or back of
it, and see if my claim has been collected.
I have written eleven letters home since we started after Morgan July 4
th. Have you
received them all?
I am glad to hear of Mother’s improved health and of the good health of the family.
My health continues excellent. The heat never affected me so little as this summer.
I sent you $200 from Cin. Hope it reached you safely.
I shall answer Howard’s letter soon, also Mother’s and Mary’s.
Love to you all.
Very affectionately,
Your Son,
Watson
Please address me as follows:
Lieutenant Watson B. Smith
A.A.S. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps
Hickman Bridge, Kentucky
