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Oliver Boardman correspondence and journals, 1861-1863
01_1862-12-16 Page 01
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Dec 16th,, /62 Dear Father We are now encamped on the [yocnapatulfa?] river about fifty miles South of Holly Springs, and about eight or ten miles west of the Rail Road, & afew miles north west of Coffeeville. We have been here four or five days. I dont know how long we will stay here. but I dont suppose we will stay much longer. I think the calculation is to take Jackson and Vicksburg without delay. So General Sherman told us afew days ago he said he was ordered to take Command of aforce going by water while we went through by land he left us about aweek ago he took one Division (Smith's) back with him before leaving he called out all the troops under his Command and bid them all farewell for the time being making ashort speech to each Regiment. he seemed to be sorry to leave us after being with us so long, and I know the soldiers were all sorry to see him go they seemed to feel as though they had lost their best friend. I dont believe that Gen Sherman had asoldier nor an officer under his Command but what loved him, and to lose him now when we were almost in the face of the enemy seemed to be aserious loss for there is very few that has much confidence in Gen. Grant. although he seems to be asuccessful General. but as long as we had Sherman over us although he was subject to Grant, yet he had Command of aCorps, (13th army Corps I believe) and we felt pretty safe. But I guess we have avery good man in Sherman's place. Gen McPherson takes his place, and from what I can see and hear of him I guess he will fill it very well, though I know but very little about him. I hardly know how or what to write for I cant tell when I will get a chance to send it, or whether I can send it at all.
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Dec 16th,, /62 Dear Father We are now encamped on the [yocnapatulfa?] river about fifty miles South of Holly Springs, and about eight or ten miles west of the Rail Road, & afew miles north west of Coffeeville. We have been here four or five days. I dont know how long we will stay here. but I dont suppose we will stay much longer. I think the calculation is to take Jackson and Vicksburg without delay. So General Sherman told us afew days ago he said he was ordered to take Command of aforce going by water while we went through by land he left us about aweek ago he took one Division (Smith's) back with him before leaving he called out all the troops under his Command and bid them all farewell for the time being making ashort speech to each Regiment. he seemed to be sorry to leave us after being with us so long, and I know the soldiers were all sorry to see him go they seemed to feel as though they had lost their best friend. I dont believe that Gen Sherman had asoldier nor an officer under his Command but what loved him, and to lose him now when we were almost in the face of the enemy seemed to be aserious loss for there is very few that has much confidence in Gen. Grant. although he seems to be asuccessful General. but as long as we had Sherman over us although he was subject to Grant, yet he had Command of aCorps, (13th army Corps I believe) and we felt pretty safe. But I guess we have avery good man in Sherman's place. Gen McPherson takes his place, and from what I can see and hear of him I guess he will fill it very well, though I know but very little about him. I hardly know how or what to write for I cant tell when I will get a chance to send it, or whether I can send it at all.
Civil War Diaries and Letters
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