Smith, Watson B. – July 1, 1863

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/smith-watson-b/
Regiment: 8th Michigan Cavalry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Camp Nelson Near Hickman Bridge, Kentucky July 1st, 1863 Dear Father, There is nothing of importance since my last. Colonel Stockton is still in command of this Post and I am still with him at Headquarters. I wrote Uncle Howard last evening asking him to use his influence to secure the promotion of Colonel Stockton to Brigadier General. He has been acting as such and would make a more efficient Brigadier General in command of the Post than as Colonel in an active campaign. Michigan has not had her fair share of General Officers. If you think it advisable and best you could help it along by speaking to Chandler, etc. The 9th Michigan Cavalry has gone to Stanford and expects a fight there. They are brigaded in Cox’s Brigade. We are brigaded in Colonel Mott’s Brigade. It is expect that he will be made Brigadier. He is now making up his staff and is to take one officer from our regiment. I think I could get the position of Brigade Commissary but Colonel Stockton is opposed to my leaving him. I suggested the matter to him yesterday and he said “What. do you want to leave me?” very emphatically. Lieutenant Colonel Wormer asked me yesterday what position I would like on Mott’s staff. As the Colonel has so much feeling about the matter I shall let it drop, although Captain Strauss would not be unacceptable. If I let this go by, something else will turn up. The Colonel has been very kind to me and it shall not have been in vain. Received a letter from Mary and Clara Fuller last night. Also one from Mother on the say day dated Cleveland the 28th of May. We have had three days of hard rain which was very much needed but rather unpleasant in camp. My quarters being in a house, it did not inconvenience me much. My health is very good. My duties light but I am discontented with the inactivity of the regiment. This lying in camp is very distasteful to me. Five days at a time is as long as I want to remain in any one place. It looks to me as though we may remain here some time. Perhaps it is as well to remain in this latitude until cooler weather. While in Lexington day before yesterday I saw J. M. Howard’s son. He is on General Hartsuff’s staff with rank of Captain. He appeared glad to see me and offered to take me up to headquarters and introduce me around. But I had not time. I went up and returned in an ambulance. The health of the regiment is good. There does not seem to be much sickness here. How are you? How is Mother’s health? Am glad to learn that she is going on a cruise of some kind. I wrote to Howard the other day. Love to all. Shall write to Peck soon. Give him my regards. Your son, Watson