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Regiment: 2nd Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Jan. the 20th 1863
New Haven, Ky.
Kind friend it was with pleasure that I received your letter of the 30th but
it did not reach me untill yesterday. It had been delayed on the road. I was glad
to hear that you were well. My health was never better. The weather here has been
very bad the last few days it commenced to rain on the 14
th of this month and it
rained all day then that night it comenced to snow and it snowed all night so that
we had to git up at three o’clock and dig ourselves out of bed with the spade. Some
of the tents were crushed to the ground with the weight of the snow that fell on
them. The snow fell to the depth of 16 inches and now it has rained all night and
all day to day so you can guess how good times we have had. Yet we get on very well
for we have fire in our tents. You spoke in your letter of going down to my uncles
to spend your New Years. I got a letter from Martha saying that you were there
New Years. You have doubtless seen Thame and Cove for Mart said they had got home
They have probably told you how we spent Christmas eve. We marched about 40 miles
that day and then had a skirmish in Glasgo and then we marched all that night
making 60 miles in all that we had marched without food for man or horse so you
can guess that we enjoyed our Christmas eve. Then the day after Christmas the Baten
Creek affair took place wher Cove and Thame were taken prisoner. I was not out with
them because my horse was lame. John was out in the advance and got the first shot
but he had a fine horse and so he got away. There was a Captain and one Lieutenant
taken prisoner at the time and 41 privates at the two scrapes so that our battalion
is pretty near used up for the present and our horses are pretty near used up but
we are getting some new ones now and if the prisoners were exchanged then we would
be all right. You think it is enough to kill any one to get used to the army. Well
there is a great many tough men that die getting used to it. There is only about
25 of the men that left the Rapids with us. There is only 22 of the horses that
left there now in the company so you can see how we use up horses. There was 94 men
and 400 horses. I am glad that Thame and Cove got home. Ben was taken at the same
time but I did not if he got home or not. There was a form Six-Corners
taken at the same time. I think he will get home. His is Cratty, he is a
fine fellow. I expect that Alexander Saliers is gone to Camp Chase, Ohio, he was
taken prisoner in Glasgo Christmas morning. I believe this is all the news that I
can think of at present. It is just seven o’clock and I must bring this thing to a
close.
By answering this soon you will oblige your friend
Thomas Wasson
