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Regiment: 8th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned: Chickamauga, Georgia
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside, Braxton Bragg, Julius White, Nathan B. Forrest, William S. Rosecrans
Hd. Qrs. 2d Div. 23d A.C.
London Sept. 29. 1863
Dear Father
Since writing you we moved
down as far as Sweetwater on our way to
support Rosecrans but on reaching said
place recd. orders to fall back to this place
so returned the same night.
Byrd & Wolford have been obliged to fall
back from Charlestown & are now here. They
fought most of the way back to Philadelphia
the 8
th Mich. holding the rear all the time
and fighting valianth. Col. Byrd is now
commanding Genl. White’s Brigade Co. Wolford
is commanding an independent Brig. all mounted
We had all our forces in position yesterday
P.M. expecting an attack either last evening or
early this A.M. but the enemy retired last
night in the nights. Forrest is said to have command
of the reb. force & prisoners state is to be one
Army Corps.
The battle bet Rose & Bragg is said to be
a
[ ? ] if any thing Bragg got the advantage
for Rosecrans was compeeled to fall back
to Chatanoga. We get but little news from
there. the slaughter was terrible I am told &
the cry was “were is Burnside” “Burnside is
coming” &c. Oh that we might have been
there in time so as to help Rose. gain a
complete victory for that would have pretty
effectually used up the Rebs. They were
heavily reinforced from Va. They massed
their men ten deep & moved on our batteries
which commenced pouring into their ranks at
long range & continued mowing them down until
the came right onto our gard & clubbed our
gunners at their guns.
Col. Stockton is said to be at Knoxville so
I shall hear some thing from home through him
I hope for I have not heard anything as yet.
Four papers dated from the 20
th to 28
th Aug. reached
me on the 25
th inst. but no letters. We look
for a mail, daily, from Knoxville.
Col. Wormer was here at Hd. Qrs. last evening &
is anxious for me to come back to the regt.
but “I can’t see it” yet. the position that I have
now is a very pleasant one but I would like
Captains pay as my expenses are more here
than they would be with the regt.
Reports just made place the enemy
still on the retreat.
The train for Knoxville leaves shortly
so I must close.
With love to all. Your aff son
Watson
