Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/fox-newton-p/
Regiment: 1st Michigan Engineers
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Hd. Qrs. 1st Mich Engrs. + Mechs.
Stevenson Ala. May 18th 1864
My Dearest Mother
Day before yesterday
I wrote you a long letter but know-
ing how anxious you are to
hear from us I will write you
again. Our camp has been quite
unruly for the past few days
The settlers have been to sell
and some of our men get
drunk and are quite a treat
to the officers. Last night two
[ ? ] had to be tied up by the
thumbs and today one of them
has got a ball and chain on
his leg.
[ ? ] men are at
work on a fort with niggers
under guard. This state of
Page 2
cannot continue long
any more violations of order will
be severely punished.
Last night a drunken soldier
of the 1
st Ohio Battery shot a
woman downtown.
I think the woman was a
questionable character although
some say she was a respectable
woman. The case was like this
about nine oclock the soldier
came to the house and tried
to get in this woman steped
to the door to fasten it and
the soldier steped around the
corner to the window and
fired through hitting her in the
small of the back. She died in
about half an hour. So you
see what a soldier will come
to if he allows himself to drink
beer and follow bad women.
Page 3
The man is arrested and
may have to die for the crime
when the man who sold him
the beer is half to blame.
I have not tasted a drop of
any liquor since I have been
here although I have been
repeatedly asked by officers and
men. I hope to return home
with my breath free from the
smell of tobacco or liquor of
any kind. The rebs are on the
Memphis + Charleston rail road
about eight miles below
Herntsville Ala. There was a force
within two or three miles of
here. They are commanded by
Forrest + Rhody and I think
they will make an attack on
this place + Bridgeport if
they can catch us napping
Page 4
Last night all the men had
orders to have their guns &c. where
they could get them at a
moments notice as we did
not know but he was making
a first there and might swing
around on us. If I ever get
a chance to point a gun at
one of Forrests men I will
remember Fort Pillow and
so would all our men.
They cannot take this place
and will not attack us
unless they can do it unawares
which there is not much
chance of their doing.
If they try us on they will
find that they have him
against a snag which will
stop them quite as suddenly as
they they would like.
Page 5
Our a number of nights
I have been down to the depot
to talk with our wounded
boys and rebel prisoners.
[ ? ] is an awful thing. If you
could only once go and see
our men
[ ? ] and
[ ? ]
as I have seen there it would
make you heart sick.
I saw one boy not larger
than myself with
both eyes
shot out. Poor boys how sad
he looked as he sat there
thinking perhaps of the home
and friends he will never see
again you dont know how it
made me feel to look at him
You see men walking around
with armless sleeves hanging
by their sides, with hearts
out and mangled and others
Page 6
without feet or legs it is
a terrible sight. The rebel
prisoners seem to have lost
all hope in their cause +
all agree in saying that this
is the last year of the war.
Most of them will never go
south again they intend to
take the rath and go to
work and get money enough
to send for their families
when the war is over.
I am going to be acting Com.
Sergt for this Detachment
and also help the Adit do
any writing he may have.
I am very plesantly situated
and enjoying myself very well.
Father is quite well and is
now writing you a letter
with some “green backs” enclosed
Page 7
which of course you will
be glad to receive.
I must go down town for
some rations so with much
love to yourself and Eddie
I Remain
Your Son
Newton
Brother
P.S. Give my love to all
friends. Tell Emily B. I have
received no answer to
last letter.
Newton
