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Regiment: 1st Michigan Engineers
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Bridgeport Ala. May 13 1864.
Dear Father:
We are still in Bridgeport
with but little signs of a moove. Our
Regt have the Block house and defense
to build, and may be left back this
summer for that purpose.
M[ ? ] all
the troops have gone to the front. We get
little news from there as to the moovements
but there was considerable fighting and heavey
skirmishing yesterday. 700 wounded were
brought in to Chattanooga day before yester-
day. The medical Doctor says there is the
largest amount of hand & arm wounds he
ever say accounted for probably, as they
fought in the woods behind trees &e. Our
telegraph Ops. tells us that Hd. Qrs. are in
Dalton to day. telegraph establised there.
the Rebs are pretty strongly
[ ? ] in
the mountains. but as some as they are
dislodged from there nothing will
stop the Army this side of Atlanta.
Every arrangements are being made to
supply them at that point by Wagon train
from where the R. Road stops.
In case the Army are successful and moove to
Atlanta I think we will moove. I hope so
at least for the road between Chattanooga
and Nashville is looving all romance I think
Our prospects were never as bright as now,
and this summer campaign if successful will
wind up the
[ ? ] for Confed’s. Our operator
takes off the reports every day in the mil
so that we keep the news up to date. to
nights. dispatrch. of to day, in closing say
if we are successful tomorrow night will
play the Rebs out.
We just got word from Chattanooga
to day, that a general Bules specifies that all
Regts shall be relieved of duty one month prior
to
[ ? ] Muster in sent to this states and close
up all business and be mustered out. allowing
Captains 30 days in cluding travel home to
settle accounts make Muster out Rolls &c. All
officers going home with Vets. shall be held
to service the same term with Vets. All
officers who have been promoted may go out
at the exporation of this first three years
this piece of news, although discredited still
created the wildess enthusiam in Camp
If we are obliged to go “home again”
in September we will have to begin
now to get ready, but no can tell
better after awhile.
Daniell Cooper Co “C”. the Cols. Cook
wants me to write you concerning a lot
he wishes to parcliam it joins are he
[ ? ]
[ ? ]. belongs to Court
[ ? ] who keeps
[ ? ] Stove opposite Natimal. Cooper wants
to leave his terms, tillu &c. he wishes to
pay cash down and wants to hear his
tenet price. he wishes you to attend to
the business for time. and has written his
wife to call and say in regard to sam
his a good man and is willing to pay
you for your trouble. if any please
write me what you leave in regard to
it. I am very well and very
[ ? ]. I was
at Chattanooga Monday & Tuesday. the boys
are all well there. Major Hanning was a little
unwell but is recovering.
The Col. Doc’s and all are well and
wish to be remember to you I had a
letter from Henry Coffinbery a few days ago
he is on the Road from Nashville to
Huntsville. I will be down there I think
in a couple weeks and will try to see
him. Give my regards to all and
write soon. Write a
[ ? ] yet earnest hope
that this fall will send us all home again
I am Ever Yours affectionately
[ ? ] Still pen Andrew
[On Envelope:]
W. L. Coffinberry Esq
Grand Rapids,
Michigan
[Included with letter is a newspaper clipping
of the Negro “Contraband Prayer”]
