Letter from George Wallace Cummins to Capt. A. C. Cummins - 08 JUN 1863

Letter from George Wallace Cummins to Capt. A. C. Cummins - 08 JUN 1863

Letter written by George Wallace Cummins to his brother Captain Abraham C. Cummins on June 8, 1863.

George Wallace Cummins

08 JUN 1863

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Cummins08JUN1863

(top margin) What did you think of the (lady bully-
girl aint she?)
Write soon may God bless you

Camp Drake
Murfreesboro Tenn June 8th 1863
Capt. A.C. Cummins
St. Louis Mo
Dear Brother
I have received your kind letter of the 4th. I can assure you it was wellcomly received as I have not heard from you for nearly two months. I have written to you once or twice but I suspect that they were miscarried. I am glad to hear that you are well and (suited?) with your new home and business. My health was never better since I have been in the service. Also the health of the company is good. Sergt Guage has been quite unwell but is again able to be around. I have discharged David Fletcher since I last wrote to you. He is now home. I was sorry to part with so noble a man as he was but I thought it my duty as I was confident he would never recover in the field. My (paroled?) boys are coming back everyday. There is 11 of them back besides Lt. Lord. I have 6 yet absent but I hope they will be back in a few days. Lt. Lord coming back relieves me to a grate amount. He will make an efficient officer and will get along well with the men. We have been very busy all summer scouting, working on brest works and doing picket duty and we have not forgot how to drill either as we have had battalion or brigade drill most every day. Col. Gibson has been our Brigade Commander for the last 5 months and a better officer or man is not in the army

(page 2)

of the Cumberland. He is certainly worthy of a star on his shoulders and I am confident he will have it in less than six months. Our bully old Dutchman—as the boys call him—Genl Willich came back a few days ago but looking quite unwell. But seems in as good as spirits as ever. I never saw boys so pleased as when he came into camp. Every man was throwing up his hat and howling for Old Man. Col Gibson ordered a Brigade review wich was a fine thing. The old 1st looked well. Gen Rosecrans, Tomas, Ward and Davis was present after Col Gibson turned over his command to Genl Willich wich was done with a few fine remarks in wich Genl Willich made a reply to in his broken language. Gen Willich then turned to Brigade and said “now boys, lets us show Rosey what we can do.” 39 was mounted and we made some nice charges and went through the moovement well. Genl Rosecrans complimented us very highly and said that the 1st Brigade best in the army of the Cumberland. We expect to be mounted soon. Genl Rosecrans told Willich if he wanted his brigade mounted he could have the chance. Willlich called a meeting of the field officers and they was all in favor of it. The order has been sent up to Johnson and McCook. I have not heard wether they approved of it or not. The men are all anxious to be mounted. As for myself I have no choice. There will be more for a command officer to see to then. But anything to suit the boys and put down the rebellion.

(page 3)

Well brothers it will soon be two years since I enlisted a souldier of these United States to uphold one of the noblest works of man. Little did I then think two years would still find me engaged in the same cause. Should anyone have told me one year ago that this war would last more than six months I should have thought him blind. But it gows on yet and I can’t now see any chance for it to close soon. I am now confident that the South will fight to the last or as long as they can raise an army. We can’t scair them to turn. That day is gone by. I expected ere this to hear of the fall of Vixburg but something is not right or I should think that they could have taken the place. I am fearfull of Grant. If you remember on the 7th day of April 62 we helped him out of a big mess at the field of Shiloh. But I hope that he may be successful. Should he be so, that will open the Mississippi River. The Eastern army is (dead?). In the (shell battles drawed a blank) had 20,000 kiled and wounded and he crossed the river. A few more such movve we would certainly have call and need for conscripts. But I am not yet discouraged if this government is worth fighting two years for. It is worth five I say. Put down the rebellion and then settle private matters. I received many letters from home from friends in refference to my political sentiments.



(page 4)

I have nothing to do with them. I say but little. I am no politician. When this war is over, if I am living, I am gowing to settle down in some kind of business. I never expect to become a public man. Either do I wish to be. So political matters with me are nought. I have my own opinions. You spoke about Burns. I have not heard from him for some time. I guess he is not getting along as well as he thought he would. Joseph Goldsmith and Capt Brown resigned last week and gone home. (Gust) Smith is 2nd Lt in Comp B and alive. And I understand that Capt Tom Douglas is gowing to resign. The old officer of the 15th are playing out fast. Capts (Cummins), (Glover) and Davison are the only old capt. Col. Wallace is now at home and I understand he commands Camp Chase. Bully, I wish he would stay there. Col Askens and Maj McLenahan are nobel men and fine officers. Well I will (?) if I don’t soon stay. I received a letter from friend Glenn few day ago. He is all right . I should like to be with you and your Mansfield friends. I suppose you coulden give a brother soldier an interduction to some nice young lady that would marry after the war is over. If you can say so I am alone. (Co. I) all send thei kindest regareds to you and want you to send your photo to them or to me. Give my kindest regards to Dr. Frank. Tell him I am a better man than I was at Buck Horn.
Ever your brother George W.C.