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Regiment: 3rd Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp 3rd Mich Cavy
LaGrange Tenn
Jany 15th, 1864
Aunt Sophia:
You will see by the date of this letter that we are no longer in Corinth but have once more camped
in LaGrange which you will remember is the same place in which we stopped last summer after
we left Jackson. We came here about the first of this month. We moved all of our barracks and
stables and put them up in this place. We have not as yet got thoroughly settled in our new camp
and I don’t know as we ever will for judging from present indications we shall not remain here a
great while. Where we shall go when we leave here is a mystery to me.
We have had some of the coldest weather here this winter that was ever known in Dixies Land.
We were on a scout New Years and the thermometer was eight degrees below zero. Pretty cold
weather to camp out of doors isnt it? Yet we all slept on New Years eve with no shelter but the
blue canopy of heaven and we slept soundly too. There were a considerable many frozen toes
and noses but we called it a “
[ ? ]thing” and took it all as a good joke.
There is a great deal of talk of making a veteran regiment of the 3
rd and if the thing is done I shall
undoubtedly reenlist. I don’t think that those who reenlist will have many months more to serve
than those who do not for in my humble opinion this war is drawing to a close. I have not the
least doubt but this year will witness the restoration of peace to the whole country. Even their own authorities and journals speak very despondingly of the prospects of the Confederacy.
Witness King Jeffersons message and the report of Secretary Memminger and see the hopeless
aspect of affairs for the South as described in the Richmond papers.
I received your letter sometime ago and should have answered it sooner but we have been so busy
moving that I could scarcely get time to drop a line even to my wife. This is the fourth letter that
I have written today and I believe that I am no longer indebted to anyone for a letter. How glad I
am to be catched up once more. That magazine and the “Gospel” came safely to hand. Present
my thanks to the friend who was so kind as to send it to me. I should be glad if you could get the
second edition for me. Give my best respects to all the friends.
Ever your nephew,
O. W. Rowland
