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6. “Enough Fighting to Satify Us”: March 25-September 9, 1864
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Thomas Christie to James Christie1 big black river bridge, mch 25, 1864 My Dear Father, We came out here on the 23rd, and are camped on the bank of the river, close to the ruins of the railroad bridge; my gun is trained on the pontoon bridge. The cavalry of the enemy are within four miles of us; our own videttes are in plain sight. I think our generals expect a fight very soon at this point. New works have been thrown up; large reinforcements have come in quite lately; shots are often heard out in front; and every precaution is taken against surprise. The three new companies of the 16th Wis. came out with us, and fully sustained the Regiment’s reputation for marching; the road was rough and muddy; but they came the 18 miles between 11 and 5 o’clock. We left two caissons behind, in the machine shop; and the two howitzers in the care of a lieutenant of another battery; so we have here only the four Rodmans. They say we shall not see the old guns again, but will draw two more Rodmans in their place. We shall be sorry to lose the “Pumpkin-slingers,” that have done such good service in all our battles. Our camp is in a pleasant spot, handy to wood and water. The latter is not very nice to look at, for the heavy rains have given such a color to the river that we call it not the Big Black, but the Big Yellow. Yesterday the rebels launched into the river above us a lot of beams fastened together crosswise, trees, and rubbish, in order to carry away our pontoon bridge. The water is high and the current strong. The great mass came down like 213 6 “Enough Fighting to Satify Us” March 25–September 9, 1864 1. Transcribed in Thomas Christie reminiscence. a raft, lodged against the anchor-ropes and the boats; they sank almost under the water. Our pioneers were not strong enough to clear the bridge, and disaster seemed sure. Capt Bedford, the Adjutant General of our Division called on the Captain for a detail of men to help; and some fifty of us ran down. It is hard work to save the bridge; but by dint of much chopping, and prying, and hauling, and rather vigorous talk, we finally set all the trees &c afloat below the pontoons. Then we got buckets, and emptied the boats of water; they had been nearly swamped. The rebels are very active, doing all they can to annoy us. Our fellows only wish they would come across and give us a chance at them; or that we might be ordered to go and drive them o¤! But I tell the new men not to be too anxious to get into a fight; that before Shiloh we used to talk as they do, but never after! Still, I feel that these new fellows are men to be relied on, when the time comes. You should have a longer letter, but for the work of getting the camp into order. In this matter also the recruits have everything to learn. “How do you want his ditch dug?” “Show us how to stretch this picket-rope, will you?” “What space shall we leave between the tents, and where shall I put up mine?” “Which is best for a bunk, shakes or cane?” And so it goes for hours. But everything will come right in time. And now to clean up our dirty cannon and carriages! No more till that is done, from Yours Ever, T.D.C. Thomas Christie to James Christie2 big black river bridge, april 2, 1864. My Dear Father, I have just had another attack of chills and fever; it lasted three days. This shows that the malaria is very hard to get out of the system. It is rumored that we are to go to the Army of the Potomac; we look daily for orders. Part of the Corps has already gone up the river, accompanied by the Corps train. Our oªcers say that we will surely be in Cairo within two weeks. There we shall meet the Veterans, and be reorganized: then, ho for the Potomac, the Rapidan, or the James! Capt. Clayton is ordered not to draw any horses here, but to take them all in Cairo. So probably there is a lively campaign before us. There is every indication that the coming summer is...