CIVIL WAR LETTER - 13th Illinois Infantry - BATTLE of PEA RIDGE, from Helena Ark

Description

Civil War Letter
Civil War Letter - Written by Soldier in
13th Illinois Infantry—sometimes referred to as “Fremont’s Grey Hounds”
This Civil War soldier letter was written by Major Frederick William Patridge (1824-1899) of the
13th Illinois Infantry—sometimes referred to as “Fremont’s Grey Hounds”
and of whose performance General W. T. Sherman called the regiment “unequalled in the Army” after the fighting at Vicksburg. He wrote the letter to Everell Fletcher Dutton (1838-1900) of Sycamore, Illinois, who served as Captain of Co. F, 13th Illinois Infantry early in the war, and then became Major of the 105th Illinois Infantry late in 1862. Dutton eventually rose in rank to Brevet Brigadier General.
Major Partridge was the son of Cyrus Partridge (1786-1842) and Mary Loveland of Norwich, Vermont. In mid-February, Partridge was promoted to Lt. Col. of 13th Illinois Regiment and he was brevetted Brigadier General on 13 March 1865 for “gallant and meritorious service at the Battles of Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, and Ringgold Gap.” After the war, Patridge served as US Consul in Bangkok, Siam from 1869-1876. Hedied in Sycamore, DeKalb County, Illinois.
The 13th Illinois Infantry was mustered into state service by Captain John Pope, at Camp Dement, Dixon, Illinois, on April 21, 1861, and summoned into Federal service on May 24, 1861, for a three-year term. In June, the regiment was ordered to Caseyville, Illinois, 10 miles east of
St. Louis
, and by July 5, had arrived at Rolla, Missouri, where it remained until the spring of 1862. While stationed at Rolla, the regiment was deployed to guard the supply trains to and from General Lyon’s army, from guerrilla bands in that part of the state a small detachment took part at the battle of Wilson’s Creek. The Thirteenth was also part of General Fremont’s force that went to Springfield, Missouri, in the fall of 1861. In 1862 the regiment joined General Curtis’ army at Pea Ridge, Missouri, 250 miles southwest of Rolla, in his march from Pea Ridge to Helena, Arkansas, on the Mississippi River. The regiment was part of General Sherman’s army in his attack on Chickasaw Bayou, and on the first day of battle at the Bayou, Colonel Wyman was killed. The Thirteenth was also present at the capture of Arkansas Post, and was successful in a raid in Greenville, Mississippi.
13th Illinois Infantry at Helena, Arkansas, where the regiment was encamped from July through December 1862. Image courtesy of Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.
Transcription
Helena, Arkansas
Camp 13th Regt. Ills. Infantry
December 19th 1862
My Dear Major Dutton
Your long and most acceptable letter came duly to hand. I saw Lt. Col. [Adam B.] Gorgas immediately and he authorized Lt. Buck, in my presence, to send you the requisite certificate. I think on it you can get your money.
Was much interested in your history of the “105th.” Glad to hear of their creditable drill and appearance. I still think the “13th” can’t be beat at
anything
. Have been President of a General Court Martial now for 61 days. Am relieved now to go down with the regiment on the “Vicksburg Expedition.” We are pleased at the idea and think we are transferred by this movement into the Department of General Grant. We are all hurry and bustle which will account for the brevity and carelessness of my letter.
Do write me often. I will apply hereafter more at length. Col. [John B.] Wyman is Chief of Staff to General Steele, Commanding our Division. Oh! what a fall was then my countryman!” The officers speak often of you and very affectionately. Understand the officers of “F” Company are promoted according to their late commissions for gallant conduct at “Pea Ridge,” Arkansas. Good, isn’t it?
Yours hastily, — Frederick W. Partridge
Direct as before.
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