Note: This is the last of Charlie’s letters for 1863. It will be the final one posted this summer. I haven’t decided yet when to start posting the 1864 letters. In this missive, we find Charlie enamored of Huntsville and planning on voting for McClellan.

Huntsville Alabama
December 12th 1863

Dear Parents

I believe we are “settled down” for the winter, and I don’t want to be in a better place than this for the cold weather. Huntsville is a very pretty city and formerly contained about nine thousand inhabitants. It is celebrated for the “big spring,” and the healthy climate in its vicinity. The spring is a stunner, affording more water than the Pomperary river (in dry weather) and the location of town is so remarkably healthy that the citizens had to borrow a corpse to start a graveyard with. Our camp is situated on a beautifully wooded knoll, just such an one as Cooper would delight in assigning for the picturesque camp of some Indian tribe, or Walter Scott would select for some story of Scottish chivalry. From the top, a fine view of Huntsville is obtained, and thanks to the warm climate of the sunny south, we are comfortable. I received a letter from you three days ago, but had to go on guard one day, and spent two days in fixing my quarters, so your letter had to wait a reply. I now have a very comfortable little snuggery built about ten feet square with fire-place, chimney, and all the modern — Modern Improvements, and intend to take a good comfortable winter rest. General Grant is doing things up in a hurry, and may interupt my pleasant fancies but I hope not.

There is considerable rain here, three days out of four we have been here it has rained but I dont think such weather can last forever we must have some pleasant days, and even the rain does not make the roads as muddy as the used to in Virginia. Speaking of Virginia brings me to the Army of the Potomac again and I see that Meade is at some of the incomprehensible strategy of all the other Generals; falling back to allow Lee to reinforce Longstreet, of a surety we have some chivalrous Generals they scorn to take a mean advantage of a man and when they have the Rebs at a disadvantage they hold up to show fair play. Bully for them. I suppose before you get this McClellan will be nominated for president at least I hope so. Not that I expect to see him elected for that I judge to be out of the question with as many candidates in the field as there will be for the Democratic party, but give him a try for it anyhow. I am going to vote for him a dozen times if I can.

In Mothers letter to me she says the banks only take four hundred a year on deposit. Will you tell me how it is, I always thought a bank would receive any amount. I am in hopes of getting a few day furlough this winter if we stay here, and shall pay you a visit if possible, but dont think it is certain for I hardly think I can have so much luck. However get a barrel of cider ready, for I might.

I cant write about the war news as we dont get it till long after you do, and the other news is not obtainable so excuse my short letter, better luck next time perhaps.

I remain affectionately
Charles E. Bates

It is sometimes interesting to compare what people say in their official reports to what they may record in their diaries or letters home. Two such accounts of the same event by the same person are pretty rare, but I’ve come across a case on this same day in 1862.

Captain August V. Kautz was directed to take an expedition consisting of his squadron (Companies B and H) of the 6th U.S. Cavalry and two squadrons of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry to burn the ferries across the Pamunkey River and arrest Doctor Carter W. Wormley. At this time his was the only squadron in the regiment armed with carbines. Listed below are his official report of the event from the Official Records, and an excerpt from his journal for these two days, published in the Supplement to the Official Records by Broadfoot Publishing.

The official report, submitted to brigade headquarters:

“Camp near Richmond, Va.,
June 3, 1862

Sir: In obedience to instructions received I have to report that I proceeded with my squadron, armed with carbines, and two squadrons of Lancers to New Castle, on the Pamunkey River, yesterday afternoon, where I found the ferry-boat destroyed by some previous party. I ascertained the same to be true at Bassett’s and Pipingtree, farther down the river, by sending a squadron of Lancers to each point. I arrived at Wormley’s Ferry so late last evening that I could do nothing, as the boats were on the opposite side of the river, as is also Dr. Wormley’s residence, where I expected to find him. I therefore returned to New Castle and encamped.

Through information obtained last evening and the aid of a slave recently escaped I was enabled to find the ferry-boat belonging to Dr. Wormley’s ferry concealed in a creek near by on the north side of the river, together with the sloop Golden Gate, about 25 tons, from Norfolk, eight wooden boats, and one metallic life-boat, each capable of carrying from 20 to 30 persons. The ferry-boat would carry two teams with their horses. All these were rendered entirely useless. The sloop was burned.
A small canoe enabled me to send Lieutenant Balder and 6 men, who succeeded in arresting Dr. Wormley. I sent him immediately to the provost-marshal-general by Lieutenant Balder, who was directed also to report in person at headquarters the result of the expedition, as I was delayed several hours in destroying the boats. These boats were about a mile above New Castle by the road, on Dr. Wormley’s farm, and were concealed, as the entrance of the creek was hidden by the foliage of newly-felled trees. The river was flooded and still rising to-day, and troops could not be crossed without fixing a line.

I could collect no satisfactory information that a force was organizing or existed on the north side of the river, as I supposed in my instructions. Having complied with my instructions I returned to camp with my command this afternoon.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
AUGUST V. KAUTZ,
Captain, Sixth Cavalry, Commanding Expedition.

Lieut. J. C. Audenried,
Sixth Cavalry, Acting Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Brigade.”

And the entry from his journal for the same period:

“June 2. — The morning was spent in camp. After dinner an order came for me to take my squadron and two squadrons of lancers and proceed to the Pamunkey River and burn the ferries and destroy all communications across the Pamunkey above Pipingtree to Doctor Wormley’s Ferry, to arrest Doctor Wormley and to ascertain all I could about a force organizing in King William County. The ferry’s having already been destroyed or removed, I could do nothing this evening except to camp. I sent one squadron to Pipingtree to ascertain if the ferry was destroyed. We ordered supper with Mr. Patterson, the overseer, and I devoted myself to hunting up information for the work to-morrow. Through Dennis, Captain Savage’s servant, I learned all that is necessary for tomorrow.

“June 3. — It rained very hard last night, and I was driven to take shelter under the porch of the overseer’s house. I sent the other squadron of Lancers down to Bassett’s Ferry to see if it could be used, whilst I took a contraband and proceeded to Doctor Wormley’s Ferry, with my squadron. We sent a man across the stream, where he found a canoe in which Lieutenant Balder crossed with five or six men and proceeded to arrest Doctor Wormley, whilst we proceeded to destroy the ferry boat and a sloop of twenty-five tons, the Golden Gate of Norfolk and eight yawl boats and one metallic life boat, which we found concealed in the mouth of little creek near by. The doctor was very violent. I sent him to the Provost Marshal General and returned to camp with my command and wrote my report. More rain….”

In this case, it appears the two accounts are very close. The only differences, that Captain Savage’s servant actually obtained the information and a trooper had to swim the Pamunkey to get the canoe, are pretty minor.

Sources:
Official Records, Series I, Volume 11, Part I, pages 997-998.

Supplement to the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Volume 2, page 123.

On this date in 1862, Special Orders No. 90 were issued from the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac near Alexandria Seminary, Virginia. According to the orders, “the cavalry serving with the army is assigned to duty as follows.”

Two or three regiments of volunteer cavalry were assigned to each of the five corps. The rest of the cavalry, including the regular regiments, were organized into the two brigades of the Cavalry Reserve.

“The Cavalry reserve will be commanded by Brig. Gen. P. St. George Cooke, U.S. Army, and will consist of two brigades, as follows:

“First Brigade, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. W.H. Emory: Fifth U.S. Cavalry, Sixth U.S. Cavalry, Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Colonel Rush.

“Second Brigade, to be commanded by Col. George A.H. Blake, First Cavalry: First U.S. Cavalry, Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Colonel Gregg, now serving with Porter’s division, Third Army Corps; Barker’s squadron of Illinois Cavalry, Captain Mann’s company of Oneida Cavalry.” (Official Records, Ser I, Vol 11, Pt III, pg 36)

Not too exciting in and of itself, but this does set up the next series of posts on the movement of the 6th US Cavalry to the Peninsula.

Note: In which we find Charles still en route to join the rest of the regiment, and pleasantly surprised about conditions in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Ohio
March 12th 1863

Dear Parents,

I have a chance to write you a few lines, enough to let you know that I still live and as for health, mine is the top of the market. My company has been since the 28th of February getting to here from Port Tobacco, and if we have good luck we shall get to the “Army of the West” about the 20th of this month. This afternoon we shall go on board of a steamboat, bag and baggage, and tonight I am off for Memphis or Nashville. I dont (sic) know which. Our trip this far has been rather a sloppy, slow coach affair, and I shall be glad when it is over. There are terrible rumors and misgivings abroad about Rosencrans (sic) army. And some of the citizens here begin to think of a skedaddle, in anticipation of Bragg’s coming.

We are living at the “soldiers home” here, a place fitted up at the time Morgan and Bragg started for the north, after dodging Buell. We came to the city night before last but I have been so busy that I have not had time to look around much, one thing though I have noticed. Whenever any of our Sergeants walk along the streets, the sentinels never fail to salute them. Perhaps they do it for fun but my impression is that they are so unaccustomed to the sight of a clean and well dressed soldier they take us for some new rank of Officers, or perhaps for some foreign soldiers.

I expected to find the gutters running with blood, and the air hideously filled with the dying squeals of expiring porkers but am agreeably disappointed. The city looks like any other business city and if hogs are slaughtered extensively it is done out of sight.

I have to draw rations for the men this afternoon so you must excuse any more writing. Give my love to all and let me know about the law suit.

I am affectionately
Charles E. Bates

Direct to Co. “E” 4th U.S. Cavalry,
Nashville, Tenn.

A new friend recently observed to me that he thought the 4th US Cavalry was the best regular cavalry regiment in the Civil War, then offered proof to support his position. I must admit that I initially dismissed the idea, not because of which regiment it was or because he didn’t make his case, but from the idea that any of them could be the best. Then I started thinking, and it all went downhill from there.

Is there a way to determine which one was best? There is, of course, no way to prove so definitively, but how strong of a case can be made for a given regiment? In order to do so, there have to be some measurable criteria used to evaluate each regiment. Things specific to each regiment, yet common to all. The purpose of this entry is to attempt to determine what those criteria might be, then to apply them over the next several posts.

Initially, I think the following criteria could be used. Which ones should be used is open for discussion, and if anyone can think of any others, I’m certainly interested in hearing your opinion.

1. Number of engagements. They should come from one source for all of the regiments, so Dyer’s Compendium appears to be a good source. We may need an additional qualification of ‘engagements’ here, though. The 4th, for example, would get credit for all of the Peninsula campaign, when all the companies did was serve as McClellan’s HQ escort. The same would be true for the 6th during Trevillian Station and other 1864 battles.

2. Casualties. This is a little tricky, as an argument could be made that lots of casualties don’t indicate good leadership. I think for our purposes here, however, we can use them as an indicator of the quantity and difficulty of a regiment’s campaigning during the war. Fox is probably as good a common source as any.

3. Number of general officers selected from the regiment. This one also could be problematical, as once the officers were promoted, the were no longer serving with the regiment. An argument could be made that it indicated the quality of a regiment’s leadership.

4. Number of volunteer regiment commanders selected from the regiment. Same argument as above.

What other criteria can we use? This is simply an initial lsit, but I’d like to try to soldify it by Friday. I’m not sure if the 4th Cavalry is at an advantage or disadvantage by serving out west away from most of the other regiments. By any criteria, I don’t think the 3rd Cavalry can win, but we’ll see. It may turn out that we’re comparing apples and oranges, but it’ll be an interesting mental exercise.

At some point earlier today, this blog received its 10,000th visitor. I didn’t think this would be a milestone that would be reached that quickly, but I guess it just shows that you never can tell. Hopefully a few of those 10,000 will be return visitors….

Thank you one and all for your visits, support and commentary.

Note: The local historical society will likely be none too happy about the contants of this letter, but at least they’ll now have an idea of what happened to the courthouse records. It doesn’t seem to have occurred to Bates that Maryland is officially loyal Union territory.

Port Tobacco Md.
February 9 1863

Dear Parents,

Another week has gone by towards the three year stone I see in the distance, and Sunday might find me at the dame desk and occupation of last Sabbath. I spent all last Friday afternoon in writing letters, but as there is but three mails a week leaving here, viz. – on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This will go in the same mail; the only bit of news I have for you is that the Ninth Army Corps is going on bad of transports at Acquia Creek now. And we have captured two thousand dollars worth of contraband goods with two smuglers (sic); by “we,” I mean “us,” that is, the 4th U.S. Cavalry Esq. I spent the forenoon in exploring the garret of the courthouse, and truly it was “a pursuit of knowledge under difficulties,” for my head would afford a fine study for a phrenologist to feel the “bumps,” but I have my reward in about nine cartloads of old records and papers, a sample of which I will send you. Ask Johnson to read the writing on the old plan of the courthouse I enclosed. There is about two hundred and fifty large books, all written full in just about as legible a style as the sample and I mean to read them all.

You must remember me to all the folks and be satisfied with this short letter for this time. Give my love to all the family and I remain

Affectionately
Charles E. Bates

Over the weekend I found another 37 volunteers who joined the regular cavalry regiments in October 1862. All of these were members of the 7th and 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O.V.I.)regiments. The majority of them joined the 6th US, though I’ve also noted a number who joined the 2nd US. I still haven’t found that regiment that Sidney Morris Davis claimed in his autobiography yielded over a hundred volunteers at about this same time, but I’m still looking.

Note: In which Charles provides a local history lesson of Port Tobacco.

Port Tobacco Md
February 1st 1863
Dear Parents,

I am “at home” here again. My company has moved into quarters at this place, and the old court-house (built 1819 as a tablet in front says) where for aught I know the most eminent men of the country here stood, or sat, is now the abode of the undersigned and his company; the room I stop in was the Grand-Jurors room, and the desk I am writing this on was once used by the Hon. Thomas Stone, son of the Thomas Stone, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The house he lived in is about two miles from here and is now used and owned by John Stone, nephew of the Senior. The room which was occupied by George Washington when he (several words too faint to read) from the Stones’ mansion, and was owned by a relation of the Lees. The room is still in the same condition it was in when last used by Washington. In his journeys to Virginia Washington used to come here from the Capitol the first day, and spend the evening with Thomas Stone, and the night at Rose Hill.

Port Tobacco looks like a place which had seen its best days long before I saw my first. It is, to use an expression common among us, “played out.” The three hotels which occupy three sides of the public square, have “played out” by desperate opposition, and the town-pump in the centre of the square is now the only place of resort for its citizens; as for the pump, it has been converted into a hydrant, and now it furnishes a steady stream of clear water to the village.

The court-house where we live, it is a large, two story brick buildingand has been lately renovated, inside and out, and it looks with its newly painted walls as if it was trying to get away from the vulgar gaze of the three hotels, which occupy the other side of the square.

We did not get here until late last night, so I have not had time to get an acquaintance with the inhabitants, but I expect they are a queer, old-fashioned party, and I think if we are left here we can do some easy “Sogerin”

I wish you would write to me now and direct here. Give my love to all, I am going to meeting.
Good bye.
Affectionately,
Charles E. Bates

Rob Wick, one of the contributors to TOCWOC, has decided to start a blog of his own. It’s called One Man’s Rebellion Record. If his entries here are as good as the ones he wrote for TOCWOC, visitors are in for a treat. Welcome to the blogosphere, Rob.