Charles H. Lewis Letter Mar. 17, 1863
27th Iowa Top Banner

History of Buchanan County, Iowa 1842 to 1881
Transcribed by Tommy Joe Fulton and Peggy Hoehne

LETTER NO. CXII.

CAMP REED, JACKSON, TENNESSEE, March 17, 1863.

FRIEND RICH: - I think I wrote you in my last that Colonel James M. True was in command of the post, and also in command of our brigade. The troops in the vicinity of Jackson are in an inactive condition. There is but little fighting in the country hereabouts, the enemy both being wily and cautious. Our duties are chiefly picketing - the regiment furnishing six commissioned officers, forty non-commissioned, and one hundred and thirty-five men about once in three days. This gives us a fine opportunity for drill, which is being gladly improved. The regiment is in excellent health and spirits, and with bright prospects for the future. Our last semi-weekly report of effective men was six hundred and eighteen.

We have lost another man from company H. Joseph Moore died in the general hospital, at Jackson, two days since. He was a patriot in the best sense of the word, and a pure, consistent Christian.

Disappointed in the appearance of the paymaster, we are consoling ourselves with the expectation of good news - are looking with eager expectation for the fall of Vicksburgh, and for the triumph of our cause in other sections. Beautiful spring weather has set in, the roads are becoming good, and if there is not a vigorous spring campaign we shall be both deceived and disheartened. Every patriot is trembling in eager impatience for a successful termination of this bloody contest within the next few short months.

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