Bowe, Gilbert S. – October 7, 1862

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/bowe-gilbert-s/
Regiment: U.S. Volunteers Birge’s Sharpshooters Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Corinth, Miss. October 7, 1862 Dear Sister I received your ever welcome letter and was glad to read a letter from you but was sorry to hear that Mother and Sena was so unwell I hope when you get these few lines they will find you all on the gain. O Dorcas We have had a hard Battle here but we have gained the Victory We are well and tough as a bear Pros has gone with the Reg to a place about 90 miles to fight they Want Ros to fight any I don’t believe for we have Demoralized and Scatered the rebles in every Directions We are doing Well here in the West. Our cavalry are bringing them in from every Directions they don’t have any arms Old Price told them to throw away everything and take care of themselves and scatter in every direction And they have Done So and our army is Catching them in the Woods all over we fought like tigers there was 4 killed in our Company that I know of and two is missing One of them Was Mortally Wounded and We put him in a Ambulance and we can’t find him no Where the other We can’t hear of Since the Battle I expect he is dead I tell you it looked hard to see the Boys that I know laying With their heads cut With a Bullet there was one Wounded very bad they hit my left shoulder with a Spent Bullet I tell you it hurt me some it Burnt for a good While but it feels better I do Duty yet it Bruised it Some + one went through my canteen by my Side and one struck my leg but the force of it was most gone I have Writen to Seth I will Write all the Particulars as fas as I know as quick as I can get time. I am on guard I expect to Stay here until the Reg. gets back Fred Hill was killed and James Balfour, the one that I enlisted under they got into town but they had to give Back on account of our artillery the rebles Was Cut Down like hail they was fed on  gun Powder and Whiskey they fought Well but they have Played out I tell you we have got them Surrounded and they are gave up. John shot a major and got two Revolvers Worth 50 dollars and a nice Sword and the nicest cap that I ever saw. He told him to halt as he was Retreating and he wouldn’t, so John Shot him and enough O it was hard to See so many killed and to see them throwed into a hole with a Blanket. The nigeroes are burying them Our men are Buried Deasent I don’t Believe that the army will have to Stay here long for we are Doing Well here in the West. I hope that Mother + Sena will get along for You know that I don’t like to hear that any of folks are sick nor any of my friends. O how I wish that I was there to help take care of them O Dorcas, take care of them but I like to be in the army if it was not for my friends I Would Stay with the Regulars but you need not worry about me for I Shant stay any longer than any other Right now Dorcas Write and let me know all the news. I lost all my Postage Stamps but I guess I can find some if I can’t, I must Send it Without but I don’t want to. I must close so Good Bye from your Brother Gilbert Bowe. Give my leave to all the folks, espesially Father and Mother. Kiss Sturtz and Susy for me and Give my Respects to all the Friends if any.