William Nicholson to Miss Mollie Nicholson, April 11, 1862

Corinth, Miss., April 11, 1862.

To Miss Mollie A. Nicholson.

Dear Sister—

I will write only a few lines this time to let you know that I passed through the battle [Shiloh] safely. I will not give a minute description of the fight as it would be utterly impossible. You will see all particulars in the papers.

I came into camp today very much exhausted. Found a letter here from Aunt, Mar. 22. Mr. Royston came in since with a bunch of letters and papers for the boys. I got my share. Lt. Burdett also brough some letters a few days ago (but no c. sock). Those letters I destroyed for fear the Yanks might get me and read them.

The ball opened early Sunday morning with a continued roar of musketry continuing all day with cannon. We drove the enemy to their Gun Boats. The Rangers camped part of the night near the river in the enemy's encampment. The enemy found out we were there and compelled us to fall back out of range of the Gun Boats. We did little or no sleeping that night as we were all over the whole encampment "picking up little things." During the day our Reg. made a desperate charge on the enemy on our horses. We had to cross a deep ravine single file exposed all the time to the enemy's fire. I do not know the number we lost there out of the reg.—in our Co. we lost John F. Crain, killed dead—George Miller (Burleson Co.) wounded. John Crain was left on the field. Tell Pa that both Sam and George Damewood were wounded early Sunday. One in the thigh and the other in the calf—both flesh sounds. I called to see them as I was coming in to camp today. Neither were confined to the bed. They will leave tomorrow for a hospital farther South. Their Reg. suffered severely. I also stopped to see Moore's Reg. from Texas. Jerome McGinnis was not in the fight on account of sickness. His brother who is a captain came through safe. George Harris came through safe. Young Sam Houston was killed while charging the enemy 10 paces in advance of the rest of his Co. He died in his tracks. On Monday the Rangers tried their luck twice—once on their horses and once on foot. John Washington was wounded Monday while off his horse fighting. We were compelled to leave him. He was shot through both thighs (only flesh wounds)—from reports we have gathered up we confidently believe he was removed from the field by some of our infantry and a Texas Ranger answering his description was reported to have been seen riding horseback towrads Corinth, both feet hanging out of the stirrups.

Col. Wharton was slightly wounded in the arm. He is still fit for duty. Maj. Harrison made a charge on some cavalry on Tuesday, killing quite a number and taking 30 or 40 prisoners. He sustained no loss except in some of the men being wounded. Our Company was not in that charge. We were detached for other duty.

Our Reg. were on the enemy's right all the time. The enemy sustained heavy losses on their right, left, center. Our losses were also heavy.

From your Brother,

W. Nicholson.

P.S. We got lots of Union paper and En. of all varieties.

Jones, Margaret Belle, ed. Bastrop; a compilation of material relating to the history of the town of Bastrop, with letters written by Terry Rangers. Bastrop: NP. 1936.

 

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