Potter, Charles H. – August 20, 1863

Michigan Civil War Collection


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/potter-charles-h/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Cavalry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Braxton Bragg, David S. Stanley, William S. Rosecrans Camp Bolivar Stevenson, Alabama August 20th 1863 Dear Father Yours of the 6th came to hand day before yesterday was very glad to hear from home once more. there is not much news. we have marched a long ways since I wrote you last. the boys are all well & enjoying themselves finely I suppose it is on ac- count of the good news we have got lately &we are pretty sure of the fall of Charleston before long & there is one thing cer- tain if we can get old Bragg to lay over at some of these. fine places any when in the State of Alabama we will clean him out so quickly & nicely he wont know how it is done. the most of Roseys army is at this place now our Cavalry picketts stand on one side of the Tennessee River & the rebs on the other. Just far enough so we can talk to each other. our boys & the rebs have been in swimming together. there is from six to twelve deserters nearly evry night & comes over here some of them take the rath & joins our ranks without a morel. we expect to cross the river soon the ninth Michigan was detailed to put the pontoons up to day I am not sure whether they have gone at it or not the rebels will trouble us some when we undertake to cross the river. the men are all confident of Rosey success so much so they ache to get another crack at him they intend to wipe him out of existence (Spoiling for a fight) Lieut Darrow has been quite sick but is so that he does duty now. Tell Albert Clarrey he must write to me if he dont I will jerk the boots off from him in about one year from now if nothing happens more than I know of now. it has been impossible to write a letter for any person for the last two months I think I can write as many as you want now. we have gone into camp & will probably stay untill we get ready to cross the river. we belong to Rosencrants army. our regt is the first Regt in the first Brigade & the first Division of General Stanleys Cavalry Stanley has command of all the cavalry in Roseys Army he is a good General. We have plenty of peaches apples green corn potatoes & evry thing good monday when we was on the march there was three days we had nothing to eat we couldent get even a hard bread I am glad to hear that you have got a [ ? ] & hope he will prove to be a good one. You said you had built a platform 22 by fifty but did not say where you or who you made it for! Libbie she must send me her Photograph the next letter she writes. exvuse this miserably writing my pen is not worth shucks, give my best wishes to all & write soon. Yours Respectfully. C.H. Potter