Soldier's Letter, Civil War, April 1862

 Oneonta Herald, April 23, 1862

We are permitted to publish the following letter, written by a former resident of this village [Oneonta, Otsego Co., NY], who was in the battle of Pea Ridge, with the 9th Iowa Regiment:

"I am yet numbered among the living, but some of our Regiment have fought their last battle.  I cannot write you all the particulars, for it would take too long.  Our regiment has been in two battles, the first one, not a man discharged his gun, but our battery, fired fifty rounds.  On the 13th of February we marched into Springfield without any difficulty.  Price found out that we were coming and he left and we followed him and fought him four days.  He then made a stand, but we made him leave with a loss of 80 men; our loss eight.  There we camped ten days, when 350 of our regiment, 250 of another and 400 cavalry started for a place called Huntsville, which was about 45 miles, our Col. commanding.  The second day we entered the town and found some of the Devils, took them prisoners, also quite an amount of sugar, &c.  Went back two miles and camped for the night. The next morning a message came stating that Generals Price and McCulloch were advancing upon our troops, and we must return as soon as possible, and at dusk we reached camp, making the 45 miles in one day.  This was the 6th of March and Gen. Seigel was fighting all that day.  On the morning of the 7th we were surrounded in the timber, and at 10 o'clock our cannon opened on the enemy from all sides.  That day the enemy held their ground. Gen. Curtis was in command of our whole force. At 8 o' clock in the evening the firing ceased on both sides.  On the morning of the 8th, Cutis wanted to retreat, but Seigle said to him, give me command and I will whip them in two hours, and he told him to go ahead.  He done so, and the Devils were thrashed in double quick time.  I cannot give you a list of the killed.  In our regiment 237 were killed and wounded, 127 killed.  the Captain and five privates were killed in our Company, our first Lieutenant had one leg broken.

I tell you, when those grape shot and shell came whistling around, it would make one think of home if anything would.  I am tending to the wants of some of the wounded.  I have had but little sleep since the battle.  I had to stop while writing this letter and help carry out a lieutenant who had died of his wounds.

We are in tents, about two miles from the battle ground, but are moving as fast as possible back to a town in Missouri, about 23 miles from here.  We shall probably stay there some time.   P.M."