19 January 1862, Kentucky, War Between the
States
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Letter of 1st Sgt. J. N. Haggard, Co. K, 1st Tennessee Infantry
Knox County Kentucky Dear Father & Mother After a long time I avale myself of the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present, hoping this may find you all the same your friends and connection are generally well. The health in our Regiment is better at the present time than it has been. I am in good health and stands the campaign very well. I learn that the Rebels have got my mare Saddle and bridle. I can tell you that it did not grieve me much to here of that for she was the Southern Confederacy. I must tell you about the fight at Mill Springs. We was encamped at Sumerset about 16 miles from the Rebel Camp on the morning of the 17th of January, 1862. We started to Mill Springs without tents or knap sacks. We lay up 1 day and 2 nights within 8 miles of the Rebels. On the morning of the 19th of Jan., about day light, the Rebels attacted us and then the fun begun. The tenth Indiana was the first in the fight. The fight lasted about four hours and it was hot times. The first Regiment of East Tennessee Volunteers would have been the Second Regiment in the Fight but we was ordered to flank the Rebels on their right which we did. They shot their cannons at us but did not hurt us. We intered the field in time of the fight and raised a yell, and you ought to see the tories throw down their guns and run. We whipped them out and taken all they had. We taken 16 pieces of cannon and any amount of small arms, all their waggons, 2 or 3 thousand head of horses and mules, and all their camp equipment. We persued 8 miles that day and burned their breast works until night. Next morning we started to charge the breast works or die in the attempt but when we got there we found them all gone and you ought to of heard the yells of the East Tenn. Boys when we got the breast works. I, was in command of our company in time of the fight and had been for 2 weeks before. The captain and Lieutenants were sick. I heard our cannon fire since I commensed writting this letter. They are fireing for pay. We have first heard from a big fight down below here at fort Donalson. Our men whipped them and taken 4 big generals prisoners and 1500 others. We are gaining the day at all points and we will soon put and end to secesion in Tennessee. Hold on. Keep in heart. We will be there before long. I must come to a close for I am in a hurry. So farewell for this time J. N. Haggard I will write a few lines more as I have more time than I thought I had. Mother you know that when I used to take the life of old General Scott and read it of a night. How I would wish to be in a battle and now I have had the pleasure of being in one big battle and as I have gone through one and remained unhurt it only makes me the braver for the next one. I had the pleasure of seeing the old General F. K. Mzalahoffer [sic], the old tory, after he was killed in the battle and not only him but many others of his mates. With a heavy heart I relaate the death of my nephew, Samuel. H. Cook. He died November the 16th, 1861, at London Laurel Co Kentucky. He was taken sick with fever on Sunday and died on Friday following. He was nicely burried in grave yard. We cut logs and built a pen around his grave. J. M. Cook is well and hearty. J. B. Rogers is well. J. M. Haggard Orderly Sergeant of CO K
This letter appeared in the newsletter of the 1st Tenn. (US) / 26th Tenn. (CS) reenactment group, April 1992; Curtis Miller, editor. Content, spelling, and punctuation are as they appeared in the newsletter.
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