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Regiment: 1st Michigan Engineers
Battles Mentioned: Munfordville, Kentucky
Historical Figures: Alexander M. McCook, Braxton Bragg, Don C. Buell, George Thomas, Jefferson C. Davis, Nathan B. Forrest, Robert B. Mitchell, Thomas L. Crittenden, William S. Rosecrans
[ ? ] Knob Ky. Sept. 19th 1862
My Dear Ida
If you were on the
hills at whose base we lay, you
could get a pretty good birds eye
view of the Army of the Oio.
Wood’s Division is in the advance,
six miles from here. His pickets,
in speaking distance of the en-
emy. Mitchell’s, +Crittenden’s are
between him + McCook, with whose
Division Lt. Col. Hunton with
[ ? ]
D.F. + G. are at present. Col. Inves
with B. E. I. + K. are with Crittenden.
Maj. Hopkins with A. C. + H. with
Gen. Rossean, who is to our right
supported by Davis. Gen. Thomas
with two Divisions in view.
Bragg’s Army is in font + if there
is not a battle tomorrow, he will
have
[ ? ].
If he eludes
Buell now, we shall be greatly dis-
appointed. Our troops are in
[ ? ]
condition + excellent spirits, + are
ready to follow the enemy to any
place, rather than suffer them to es-
cape. We have left our baggage be-
hind-also tent mess chests +c.
We left Bowling Green Wednesday morning
[ ? ] at 8oclock last evening.
Today we have had an inspection of
arms + are awaiting orders.
Last sunday the enemy 8000 strong
attacked our forces, (about 400,) who
were guarding Green river bridge
at Munfordsville. They made re-
peated efforts to storm the intrench-
ments but were driven back with a loss
of 800 killed + wounded our loss
41. They were reinforced after the
fight but Bragg came up with a
force variously estimated, probably
40,000 (some say eighty)- surrounded
them, + they capitulated Wednesday morn.
They were allowed to take all
their effects except their arms-
the officers retained their side arms.
They were paroled, + have passed
to our rear today (4200). As I am
writing some are returning being
exchanged for about 800 who were
taken by our Cavalry yesterday.
Some 16 who had enlisted with our
recruiting officers, are among the
paroled.
In reviewing our grand army
let me call your special attention to a
detachment, so small that you
might overlook it. A little to the
right of the road you will see a row
of guns neatly stacked, glittering in
the bright sun. In font you see
groups of men mixing bread + baking
it on shovels, around fires make of rails.
Some are cooking pork-roasting corn
supplying their havensacks for a more
favorable chance to do their cooking, may not occur
for several days. Dont you think
they are pretty handy? And as jolly
as a lot of girls preparing for a pic-
nic? In a few hours just back of
their guns you might see them (were it light
enough) arranged in pairs sweetly sleeping
possibly dreaming of home-while the
faithful
[ ? ] walks his beat in si-
lence, guarding his charge.
Look again. Do you see those four
wagons, a little farther down the horses
harnessed, ready for a stack at five minutes
noice? Under the one the night, in front
of his company, is the Capt. Of Co. D writing
to his
dear little wife. On his right lies
Lt. H- sleeping, who said before he haped to the
dreamland- “Give my love to her.”
I left
[ ? ] at Bowling Green in charge
of our effects + some our men who
were usuable for a sever march. His eyes
have been very bad but are better.
I have not had any wail for a long
time, + cannot tell when I shall have
an opportunity to send this.
Maj Hopkins returned a week ago. He says
Newton called on him at Jackson- [thinks
he is a smart boy.] I saw Davis last sunday.
He was attacked by Forrests Cavalry at Tyre Springs
He drove him back but Charlie was wounded
by a shot breaking his collar bone, passing through his
left liver + under the shoulder blade. Some hopes
of his recovery. Hope I can soon write to you that the rebel army of the
West is captured. I believe there is now are earnestness that looks like
success. Much love to you + the children. Kiss Eddie for papa and
believe me ever
Yours
P.V. Fox
