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Regiment: 2nd Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Alexander M. McCook, Braxton Bragg
Tenn
Rankins Ferry Oct. 19th ‘62
Kind friend yours of the 20
th came to hand about
a week since I have delayed answering it for various
reasons. The first is that I have had no material to
Write on and we have been very busy since we were in
the fight on Saturday but were not actively engaged
most of the time, lay on the field most of the night.
Were engaged all the afternoon without anything to
eat, in the afternoon in covering the removal of the
Hospital and bases from Crawfish Springs, then marched
all night to Chattanooga. Monday morning crossed the
river and ever since have been guarding the fords and
ferrys on the river to keep the rebels from crossing
to interfere with our trains going to Chattanooga with
supplies. Of the fight there is nos use of my trying
to give you any description for I doubt not you know
more about it than I do with the exception of my own
observation. The cavalry Command were on the extreme
with General McCook and Sunday forenoon were one time
entirely cut off from the infantry so they were ob-
liged to fall back to prevent being surrounded and
taken prisoner for the rebels had the most men but
we got out of it all right, though it seamed rather
rough some times and we took Chattanooga and hold
it is spite of old Bragg and all the rebels in the
Southern Confederacy.
The weather was dry and
very dusty. Most of the time you could not see
your horses head for the dust but this is enough
of this. Before the fight I saw George Wolverton
and Dan Hamilton and Abe Bigalow. They were all
well then Their regiment was in the fight and I
have heard nothing from the since. Bill Porter
is well. My health is good. The weather here is
very wet and rainy. We have nothing to protect
us from the storm but the Shelter tent which is a
piece of cotton cloth about four feet square to
each man which makes rather a poor house for to stand
a weeks rain. The men have got used to it and
there is little or no sickness in the army this
season. I was glad to hear that upu were well.
I am glad to hear from you any time. You need
not think your self the only one slighted for I
have not written to any since I left Triune the
23 of last June, not even to my own folks. I
suppose they think me gone under the sod by this
time
To Miss Mariette Hutchins
From your friend
Thomas Wasson
