Item No. 3550730

In this letter written to an unidentified captain, Major Orlow Smith of the 65th Ohio Infantry discusses the regiment's movements to defend Union supply lines against John Bell Hood's Confederates and speculates about Hood's whereabouts, just two weeks before Smith would be wounded fighting against Hood's rebels at the Battle of Spring Hill.

Hood's Army of Tennessee, recently defeated in the struggle for Atlanta, was during this time searching for ways to disrupt Union General William T. Sherman's lines of supply to Atlanta and Chattanooga. As Smith wrote this letter on November 15, Hood's army was at Tuscumbia, Alabama, gathering supplies for a new campaign north into Tennessee, while on the same day Sherman would set out from Atlanta on the March to the Sea.

In his letter, the major updates the captain on the movements of the 65th over the previous weeks as Union forces attempted to cover their lines of communication and discern Hood's intentions:

We have had a very severe campaign this fall by way of marching. We left Bridgeport, Ala., Oct. 19. Thence we took railroad to Chattanooga. Thence we took up the march up through the old battle ground of Chickamauga....

The 65th had been heavily engaged during the Battle of Chickamauga, fought the previous autumn.

...Thence we marched back with the 4th Corps to Chattanooga, where we took the railroad to Athens, Ala. Thence we took up the march to this place [Pulaski, Tennessee], where we are fortifying with the whole of our Corps.

Smith then comments about a batch of new recruits that had been sent to the regiment, and then prophetically speculates that they may soon settle into winter quarters:

I got 200 recruits the day I left Chattanooga to our regiment. They are good men, generally, and their addition helps the appearance of the regiment very much. How long we will stay here I can't say, but the grapevine says all winter. We have no enemy near us to fear. Hood has gone somewhere, I can't tell where, but perhaps after Sherman.

Smith next remarks that Lieutenant Colonel Horatio N. Whitbeck "is still very feeble" and "not likely will ever be with us in the field again." Whitbeck had been wounded in June at Kennesaw Mountain and had since been furloughed home to recover. He would be discharged in August 1865.

Near the close of the letter, Smith comments on the result of the presidential election, in which Abrham Lincoln had been elected to a second term. The major writes, "We are all rejoicing in the result of the election. I think traitors in this country will have to yield after a while."

The letter was written on two pages of a 4-page bifolium letter sheet measuring about 7 3/4" x 9 3/4". Fine condition.

Smith's prediction about Hood going "after Sherman" would prove to be false. Hood's army would strike out to the north on November 22. The 65th--as part of General John Schofield's Army of the Ohio--would begin moving north toward Columbia the same day. The two armies would clash November 29 at Spring Hill--where Smith would receive a wound--and again November 30 at bloody Franklin. The campaign would culminate a few weeks later with the federal victory at the Battle of Nashville, after which Hood's army would cease to exist as a cohesive organization. Smith would be promoted brevet brigadier general in March 1865 and would muster out with the regiment in November 1865.

The letter's full transcript appears below:

Hd Qrs. 65th Regt. O.V.V.I.
In camp near Pulaski, Tenn.
Nov. 15th 1864

Dear Captain
Sir
Your communication of the 31st came to hand last evening. I at once handed the blanks &c. to Lt. Bush and he says he has lost the original memorandum of the property you refer to and could not do anything in the matter. I know nothing about it, so cannot assist you any as I see, as Lt. Bush thinks he cannot sign your receipts as you request.

We have had a very severe campaign this fall by way of marching. We left Bridgeport, Ala., Oct. 19. Thence we took railroad to Chattanooga. Thence we took up the march up through the old battle ground of Chickamauga, on up some 50 miles to Alpine. Stayed here 5 days. Thence we marched back with the 4th Corps to Chattanooga, where we took the railroad to Athens, Ala. Thence we took up the march to this place, where we are fortifying with the whole of our Corps. I got 200 recruits the day I left Chattanooga to our regiment. They are good men, generally, and their addition helps the appearance of the regiment very much. How long we will stay here I can't say, but the grapevine says all winter. We have no enemy near us to fear. Hood has gone somewhere, I can't tell where, but perhaps after Sherman.

I heard from Lt. Col. Whitbeck a few days ago. He is still very feeble. Not likely will ever be with us in the field again.

We are all rejoicing in the result of the election. I think traitors in this country will have to yield after a while. We are all generally well and in good spirits. I suppose Capt. Randall will soon go out of service, and perhaps one or two more officers.
Very respectfully
Your Ob't Serv't
Orlow Smith
Major, 65th O.V.V.I. Comd'g