Knause, Frank B. – July 31, 1864

Michigan Civil War Collection


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/knause-frank-b/
Regiment: 6th Michigan Infantry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: St. Charles Ark. July 31st 1864 My Dear Libbie I have begged a sheet of paper and I am going to write to you and you must inform all of our folks and every body else of my whereabouts and tell them how I am getting along. First I am well and feel in pretty good spirits. We left Vicksburg on the 23rd of this month on the steamer Clarabell. Companies E, F, H, & I on the St. C and the other 6 companies on board the st. Kate Dale. Our boat was a slow concern and we got behind on Sunday the 24th at 10 or 20 minutes past 9 oclock as we were steaming slowly along about the center of the River and ¼ of a mile from the shore, a Rebel Battery of 3 or 4 guns opened on us from the shore They fired about 75 rounds of solid shot and shell at us and kept up an incessant fire of musketry. for 45 minutes we stood it and finally got out of their range. There were about twelve men wounded four of them seriously Sergt. Haight Co F had his foot shot off. Winslow Co I was struck in the thigh with a solid shot from a 6 pounder cannon. Morrison Co C was shot in four or five places. he has since died. Crumb Co F was struck in the shoulder with a splin ter. Freem Upham my chum got a Minie bullet in his heel. I can not mention the others for I have no room. Well we were obliged to land the boat just above where we were fired into for the boat was in a sinking condition. The Rebels moved their Battery up opposite us and before we knew it they were giving us a second dose worse than the first. We did not save a single thing and barely saved our lives. One man perished in the flames. A cannon ball knocked down the furnace and set the boat on fire We waited for a gunboat to come up and about dark the Louisville and iron clad came up and shelled the opposite shore but the Rebs had gone. Well, we had to march that same night back to Skipworth’s Landing and after laying around there a day or two we got on board the St. Leviathan and came up as far as White River Landing & changed our quarters again on board the Steamer St Patrick and come up White River We were obliged to lay up every night on account of low water and such a crooked river. One day we got stuck on a bar and had to work all day to get her of. We had to unload about 200 horses to get the Steamer over the Bar and just so it has gone ever since we left V. We have no Blankets or tents and sleep in the heavy dew with no covering. I have only one shirt to my back and yesterday I went in swimming and washed my shirt and let it dry while I was in the water. When you write direct your letters via White River Landing to St Charles Arkansas. Billie Sweet’s Regiment is only 90 miles up the River to Duvall’s Bluff. I expect Will down to see me. My respects to all especially to Ada Tell her how to direct a letter to me & ask her to write to me if she has written I may not get her letter Write to me soon Love to Father & Mother Mr Sweets Uncle Adams Louise &c. Write Bro Frank