19 January 1862, Kentucky, War Between the
States
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THE FUSILEERS AT THE BATTLE OF MILL SPRING We are indebted to a soldier’s wife for an admirable letter from her husband, who is a member of the Michigan Fusileers. That portion descriptive of the late battle has been anticipated by other accounts. That portion relating to the important part borne by the Fusileers, we subjoin. – Ed. Trib. Logan Cross Roads, Pulaski Co., Kentucky Jan. 22, 1862 In relation to the battle, we were to post ourselves by companies on suitable points (being only three companies in number) between our camp and the engagement, to act as camp guard simply, while the other regiments were doing some of the best fighting ever done by volunteers, yet I cannot dismiss this subject without making mention more fully of the part they acted in bringing about these important results. Our army was brought here by a circuitous road, through an unsettled part of the country – the large Government wagons heavily loaded would cut the roads down so that they were impassable after the first two or three regiments had passed. We acted as sappers and miners (which is our proper rank when not engaged in special service out of that line as mechanics and engineers) having as well, picks, shovels and spades, as mechanical tools. We cut new roads, fixed and repaired old ones, built crossings, where it would otherwise be impossible to pass at all, which must have amounted to several miles; we pushed wagons through the mud with our hands, and held them up in deep ruts and on steep hillsides. As mechanics, we repaired wagons when broken, shod horses and mules when needed and only got through on Saturday, by leaving some of our heaviest loads behind. During the night, unknown to us, Zollicoffer left his fortifications and marched against us, driving in our pickets – as I wrote you – at day break Sunday morning. He intended to meet and capture us on the road, or, to say the least, take us before we were prepared for him, and march north or westward. But we were at our destination, our army together, and prepared, though poorly, to receive him. Some of our men were over fatigued, but no one regrets it, for in proportion as we suffered others were relieved, and it evidently tended to the accomplishment of the desired result. During the action, we occupied a position which other forces must have occupied, thereby detracting from the available force of the army in the field. -- Finally, many, I might say nearly all of us, were anxious to participate more directly in the action, but we had sworn to obey the orders of officers appointed over us, the first duty of a soldier, and this fixed our position. Arriving at our place on Saturday, we pitched our tents, gathered evergreen boughs from the scattering cedars to keep us off the mud, wet and weary, we picked our meal and lay down, anticipating at least a day or two of rest. At day-dawn in the morning, while in the act of rising, the alarm was given, we flew to arms, and immediately took our position, not even snatching a mouthful from our lank-sided haversacks. -- Lastly, while great praise is due to the brave men who fought and bled on the field of battle, and who seemed to care for nothing, not even death, but victory, I claim a proportionate share, not for myself, but for the brave fellows with whom I am associated. Yours ever, Morgan Parker
Letter from Pvt. Morgan Parker, Co. F, 1st Michigan Engineers and Mechanics; published in the Detroit "Daily Tribune," page 1, February 4, 1862. Courtesy Mark Hoffman -- see Mark's info on the 1st Michigan Engineers & Mechanics at Mill Springs
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