Jefferson Barracks Mo
August 16 1861
My dear wife
Since my last letter matters have quieted down a little, and I still remain here in Command of the unarmed and undisciplined regiment that remains after I have sent away everything that could be of use for fighting purposes.
Henry telegraphed that he would start over to Keokuk on the 14th He need not hurry down although I will be glad to see him when he comes. He ought to have a comfort a blanket and a pillow for his bed. I will have a cot made for him. We ought to have two good horses, and if he brings two with him it would be well enough for him to bring them down We may get them exchanged for better ones there or here and probably his little wagon could be used to advantage. Transportation will be allowed on the steamboat upon his order or requisition.
Of course you lament with me the disastrous aspect of our affairs: but we must hope on and hope ever. If arms can be had, the tables can be turned against the rebels and must be.
I am utterly astonished at the falling back [retreat– crossed out] of Iowa troops from the face of their enemies in and about the Iowa border.1
I have not seen the Commanding General to enquire after it but General Pope2 should be called on by your people to know the why and wherefore they have to do the fighting when several hundred United States troops under pay fall back to a safe position.
Poor fellows, I suppose they had to go to Burlington to give Fitz Henry Warren a grand reception!3
William has called me to dinner and I must go–I resume in about 10 minutes. My dinner was good enough. A piece of boiled ham, 3 boiled potatoes, tomatoes sliced raw and dressed by myself with sugar salt pepper and vinegar. Veritable “apple sauce” finishing with a peach which I eat while writing to you. An that nice and handy
I suppose you would like to know who I have around me. Well I find here some young Lieutenants who belong to the new regt (13th) and I have appointed them acting Adjutents Aids Quartermasters, &c. They are some of them graduates and some of them appointed from Citizens life but all on their good behavior. Lieut Powell a graduate is a small size very young man actg adt Genl. 2nd Lt Boies is a medium siese nice young man. Lieut Knox Aid do. do. Lieut Cliff Commissary rather thick set Capt Rankin tall and I fear not so steady Lieut Van Rentzalier a tall fine looking but a little stammery young man mustering officer–4
Major McCrea I spoke of in my former letter
I am preparing orders by which camp is to be governed and hope to have them ready for use tomorrow.
I receive my letters pretty soon after they come to St. Louis but they should be directed here to Jefferson Barracks.
I intended this letter should go this train, but I suppose the whistle is for being off and it will therefore lay over.
Write very often and very fully. Kiss the children for Pa I hope you will write more frequently to Sam5
Affectionately yours
Saml. R. Curtis
1. This may have referred to the flight of a detachment of cavalry under one flustered lieut. at the battle of Athens, or to the affray of 30 infantry men and cavalry which crossed the border to Gentry. Mo., forced a number of suspected secessionists to take the oath, and retreated when a force of southern sympathisers gathered. See Iowa State Register, Aug., 1861.
2. John Pope, U. S. Military Academy, 1842. veteran of the Mexican War, railroad surveyor for Pacific railroads, was named a brig. gen. of vols. May 17, 1861, and assigned to Dept. of the West. Commissioned a maj. gen. March 21, 1862, he was later assigned to commands in the East where his reputation suffered considerably.
3. Fitz Henry Warren, stormy petrol in Whig and Iowa Republican politics, was appointed Col. 1st Iowa Cay., June 13, 1861. The cavalry rendevoused at Burlington the forepart of August, 1861, and saw service in Missouri in October.
4. Probably Albert Micajah Powell, U. S. Military Academy, 1860; Justus A. Holmes, formerly of the 7th N. Y. Militia, who later died of wounds received at Vicksburg.
5. Son of S. R. Curtis.