The following letter was written by Martin Baxter (1835-1915) of Co. A, 3rd Ohio Cavalry. Martin was born in Tioga county, New York, but was living in Fulton county, Ohio with his parents when he enlisted. He wrote his letter on 28 May 1862 from their camp near Corinth, describing a skirmish they had the day previous, and announcing the cannonading of the 28th—events that were described in more detail in the regimental history as follows:

“On May 27th we went with a force of cavalry and infantry to the left and rear of the Rebel lines did not find the enemy in much force. May 29th, during the night, we heard many explosions in the direction of Corinth, and the illumination of the sky was more than ordinarily bright, indicating that something unusual was going on. We were early in the saddle and moving toward the town. We came to the outer line of works and found them abandoned. The works were very strong. At every point where artillery could be advantageously posted forts had been constructed. The woods in front of their fortifications had been cut down, and all the branches trimmed so that they pointed toward the front. In places where there was no timber they had constructed abatis, using for that purpose everything available telegraph poles, sharpened stakes, small trees, fastened together with telegraph wire, and a net-work of wire woven through the fallen timber, so that it would have been almost impossible for the infantry to get through. But they had concluded not to risk a battle. We marched into Corinth and found the town practically abandoned by the white population. Only tthe old mem, the women and the children were left. Most of the people we saw were negroes.”

As a curious side note, Martin was married to Ellen Carl Dudley (1828-1908) in 1864 while he was in the Veteran Reserve Corps. She was born in franklin, Kentucky in 1828. During the Civil War, “without army status or title, backed by no organization, she persisted fearlessly and with inexhaustible energy in her mission of caring for the sick and wounded soldiers in need of help.” [Source: see Martin Baxter on Find-A-Grave]  

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp near Corinth
May 28, 1862

Dear Parents,

It is with pleasure that I pen you a few lines to let you know that I am enjoying a comfortable degree of health at present and hope that this will find you enjoying the same blessing. As I had a few leisure moments, I thought that I would pen you a few lines so as to keep the news a going to you. I should think that you ought to heard from us as much or often as once a week or two certain. There is not much news to write as I have just written to you last Sunday, I think, and wrote all the news that there was at that time. But I will write all the news there is.

Our regiment received a marching order. On double quick we were mounted at four o’clock in the morning and started with three days rations. We was marched over to our inspection ground where [we] formed right into line. Then there was two other cavalry regiments fell in our rear and then we was ordered t march. We marched out about twelve miles which brought us on the right of Corinth or back to. We was ordered into line again where we got our orders for a skirmish. We were marched out in the woods where a regiment of infantry was in front.

The general gave orders for our company to take the left wing and Co. M the right. We were soon formed. The Battalion Major, which was John Foster, came around and told us to look at our arms and see that they was sure fire. I begun to think that we had got something to do. Well there was five regiments of cavalry and one of infantry so that made a pretty strong force for us. I thought that it would take a few of them secesh to rout us. The infantry was ahead and the cavalry in the rear.

The order was given to march so off we started. Our company had to march through the woods as scouts [and] keep in sight of the main body. Well I thought that I had been in thick wood but that was ahead of my time. The most of the time you could not see ten rods ahead of you. I thought that if there was any rebels there, they could pick us [off] quite handy. Well, we advanced about two miles ahead of our picket line before we see anything. There was a squad of cavalry was a going to make a charge on our infantry and our cavalry let out on them and made them retreat in a hurry. There was two of the rebels killed. We were about two miles from the Corinth Railroad and then we was ordered back to camp where we arrived about five o’clock p.m. That is all of that skirmish. That is my first.

The big guns are a booming today about as fast as you can count. I expect that the battle has opened this time which I hope that it will terminate in our victory. Our horses are all saddled, ready for a moment’s warning. they have to be saddled every day and kept on all the time except at night. I suppose that you will hear more about the battle than I can write so goodbye this time. This from your affectionate son, — Martin Baxter.

Direct to Pittsburg Landing

James is with General Nelson, a body guard. His health is not very good.

P. S. Please send me some stamps as soon as you can for mine is most gone. If I should survive this battle, I want you to write to me.