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Regiment: 8th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp Nelson
Near Hickman Bridge, Kentucky
July 1
st, 1863
Dear Father,
There is nothing of importance since my last.
Colonel Stockton is still in command of this Post and I am still with him at Headquarters.
I wrote Uncle Howard last evening asking him to use his influence to secure the promotion
of Colonel Stockton to Brigadier General. He has been acting as such and would make a
more efficient Brigadier General in command of the Post than as Colonel in an active
campaign. Michigan has not had her fair share of General Officers. If you think it
advisable and best you could help it along by speaking to Chandler, etc.
The 9
th Michigan Cavalry has gone to Stanford and expects a fight there. They are
brigaded in Cox’s Brigade. We are brigaded in Colonel Mott’s Brigade. It is expect that
he will be made Brigadier. He is now making up his staff and is to take one officer from
our regiment. I think I could get the position of Brigade Commissary but Colonel Stockton
is opposed to my leaving him. I suggested the matter to him yesterday and he said “What.
do you want to leave me?” very emphatically. Lieutenant Colonel Wormer asked me
yesterday what position I would like on Mott’s staff. As the Colonel has so much feeling
about the matter I shall let it drop, although Captain Strauss would not be unacceptable.
If I let this go by, something else will turn up. The Colonel has been very kind to me and it
shall not have been in vain.
Received a letter from Mary and Clara Fuller last night. Also one from Mother on the say day
dated Cleveland the 28th of May. We have had three days of hard rain which was very much
needed but rather unpleasant in camp. My quarters being in a house, it did not inconvenience me
much. My health is very good. My duties light but I am discontented with the inactivity of the
regiment. This lying in camp is very distasteful to me. Five days at a time is as long as I want to
remain in any one place. It looks to me as though we may remain here some time. Perhaps it is
as well to remain in this latitude until cooler weather. While in Lexington day before yesterday I
saw J. M. Howard’s son. He is on General Hartsuff’s staff with rank of Captain. He appeared
glad to see me and offered to take me up to headquarters and introduce me around. But I had not
time. I went up and returned in an ambulance. The health of the regiment is good. There does
not seem to be much sickness here. How are you? How is Mother’s health? Am glad to learn
that she is going on a cruise of some kind. I wrote to Howard the other day. Love to all.
Shall write to Peck soon. Give him my regards.
Your son,
Watson
