6th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry U.S.

The last days were very fateful. Yesterday, the 7th, at 5 o'clock in the morning, we marched off from Pittsburg on the left bank of the Tennessee River. Nelson's division was on the left wing, and our regiment (6th Ky.) served as skirmishers; my and Capt. Martin's companies served as the forward-most skirmishers, which delighted us greatly. Around 6 o'clock we collided with the Rebels; the dance began immediately, and lasted until 8 o'clock in the evening. It cannot be looked at as a battle, but rather as a genuine slaughter. How many thousands were killed on each side cannot yet be said. The field is 7 to 8 miles long and just as wide. My brother Anton was wounded in the leg; however, not dangerously. Of the German officers, Capt. Stein, Lt. Dettweiler and, as I said, my brother, were wounded. How many dead soldiers we have is not yet known. From my company, only four were wounded and a few are missing. With this affair, we have again discovered how good it is when one is properly drilled before he attacks the enemy.

Around 10 a.m. our regiment made a bayonet charge on the Rebels, which they could not withstand; two of their regiments fled; however, they came back again reinforced, so we had to retreat. How many troops took part in the battle I cannot report exactly. One believes, however, that at noon, two hundred fifty-thousand men stood in the fire. The cannons made the earth rise; people and horses were running wildly, and I have never seen men more bloodthirsty and bold.

At certain places, fifty-to-sixty dead layed in an area about 20 paces in circumference. The sight of the dead and wounded lying around here was truly horrible. At places where there was thick undergrowth, it was mowed down by the gunfire.

The day before, General Grant had a hot fight with the Rebels and was beaten back; and if General Buell had not come at the right time with his army to help, the Rebels would have driven General Grant and his army into the Tennessee River. Our regiment made a very good showing, and is referred to by some regiments as the "bloody Sixth." It stood like a wall; and, just for that reason, our people escaped. If they had fallen back in disorder, probably all would have been killed. Our determined action and proper maneuvers instilled in the Rebels the respect which they generally have for the German soldiers. Because of this severe strain we are also worn out. We were on the march for 11 days before we came into the battle; and had nothing to eat but crackers and ham, and had no rest. We cursed sometimes about Nelson during the hard and long marches; but we have now seen we were wrong, and seen how necessary this march was. Meanwhile, we, for that reason, prevented much disaster and large losses; because on the second day of the battle was won back all that was lost on the first day and, with it, much more; and when we complete it, cut off their path, then it is soon finished for them. It is said that their commanding general was killed and Beauregard was wounded.

Our wounded are supposed to be taken to Louisville.

The wounded from my company are: Jacob Kimmel, Peter Laux, Markus Schmidt and H. Kalkoffer. Charles Franke is missing.

Capt. Stein is supposed to be seriously wounded.

In our regiment there are approximately 100 dead and missing.

Next time more details.

I am healthy and in good spirits.

Pittsburgh Landing

29 April [1862]

Dear brother-in-law and sister,

    Because I now have the opportunity I write to you how it goes with me in this soldier life. We marched 14 days through the state of Tennessee one moment up hill the next downhill, and because we had to sleep in the open with still little to eat or drink, we soldiers were soon broken down. And where we arrived on 6 April at the Tennessee River we heard a frightening thunder of cannons that boomed one after the other all day Sunday, and we immediately received orders to march forward and about 9 o’clock at night arrived on the battlefield, now we had to stand the whole night in the rain until 4 o’clock in the morning. Then we marched toward the enemy then a [illegible word] battle occurred. We had to stand in the fire from 4 in the morning until 5 in the evening when they retreated. The next day I inspected the battlefield and buried the dead, which appeared dreadful and wretched, some without heads and others without limbs.

    The number of dead is supposed to amount to 25,000. Dear brother in law and sister I send to you 20 dollars with our Sutler as soon as he comes to Louisville. So you must look closely in the newspaper to see your name Wilhelm Schulte. We come into another battle soon. Write me again on account of the money. My address is Josph Maas, 6th Ky Regiment. G Company. Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee.

Farewell until we see each other again.

{Pvt. Joseph Maas

Pittsburg [Landing], Tennerssee

------Letter provided by Elizabeth Boone, translated by Joseph R. Reinhart

On February 13 the 6th Kentucky received the much longed for marching orders. On the 14th early in the morning we left Camp Wickliffe. It took us four full days to reach West Point. I will say nothing about the hardships and arduousness that we had to endure on this trek, with frequent bottomless roads; since we survived, and that is history, they see it much lighter now and in fact a little humorous. However, we will never forget the bottomless mire, which we had to wade through, because we had to bring our wagons, etc., on the steamboats. It was trouble and work that brought the majority of the men together, at least for the moment. On the 15th the steamboats took our division down the river.

After we traveled two days, we received opposite orders and had to go back to Cannelton, [Indiana] then; however, we received orders to go to Paducah, where we arrived by steamer on the 21st. We spent the night there on the boat and departed the next day up the Cumberland River. We passed Fort Donelson. Also, it is a little surprising that the Southerners could not hold the fort, one of the strongest in the country. The morale of the Confederates is completely broken. Their heart has sunken.

On the 15th we reached Nashville, the outlaw secessionists’ hole. We were the first Union troops who entered there — ourGeneral Nelson immediately took possession of the city and in particular the Statehouse over which he raised the Union flag with his own hands. The Secessionists fled quickly, because they had to leave behind a large quantity of provisions. We have deceived ourselves with the assumption that the Secessionists have poor and meager food. Their provisions are good and based on the quantity that we seized in Nashville, [they] have everything in large quantities.

The residents of Nashville are very happy that they are rid of their Southern guests. Food has reached an enormously high price. A pound of coffee cost $1.00 and all articles in proportion to that. We established our present camp on the 26th of February. It is a mile distant from Nashville, the prettiest, healthiest and most comfortable camp that we have had until now. Within an hour of Nashville lay at least 100,000 Union troops. Our regiment is in the best of health. Since we left Camp Sigel we have lost only two men through death. The main reason for the present situation was til now the fatherly care of our upstanding Quartermaster, Mr. M. Billing, because he untiringly procured ample and healthy food for the regiment. A bad mishap has befallen us through the resignation of our attentive, beloved Quartermaster. Simply through his untiring care, that let him rest neither day nor night, his health was undermined, so that to the greatest sorrow of each individual in the regiment he was forced to request a discharge. All our officers especially and in particular our Brigade and our Division General were distressed to accept his resignation. Mr. Billing however withstood that, while he explained that longer administration of his so very arduous office inevitably leads to physical deterioration. Since the beginning of the month of Febr.[uary], the condition of Mr. Billing’s health was very questionable; the trip here, however, of which the whole burden for the regiment lay solely on his shoulders, had worsened his condition, so that he, as long as we lay in this camp could seldom leave his bed and only for short time. With grief, with deep grief, each soldier of the 6th Kentucky Regiment sees him depart, and only the newly-named Quartermaster, Capt. Wolfe, our former Wagonmaster, a trustworthy man, gives us confidence and trust for the future. Mr. Billing will leave after about eight days, after he has transferred all the quartermaster stores to his successor.

How long we remain here can of course not be said; however, it appears that we will not depart soon. Tennessee can be declared a Union state; the power of the Secessionists is completely broken, and the one place in the state they occupy with some confidence is Memphis, which they would leave without the slightest doubt with the advance of our army.

The morale of our troops is excellent and we anticipate a movement against the fire-eater with burning desire.

Camp Sigel, Louisville,

(Mr. Schlieder’s Farm), 7 Nov. 1861

The undersigned finds it a pleasant duty to render publicly from time to time an account about what takes place in our camp. Concerning the comfort of the camping place, we could have had difficulty finding a better camping place for miles around. Most residents of Louisville are certainly acquainted with the charming and also wholesomely situated Spring Garden of Mr. Schlieder. Our tents are pitched among the trees of the nicest orchard, next to us is the plank house of the sutler, as well as the very practical arrangement for cooking. The provisions and clothing are being delivered every day in good and ample varieties, you find your temporary place in the nice and roomy buildings of Mr. Schlieder, whose partner, Mr. Rösch, who does all possible, to meet all reasonable demands of the soldiers of the First German Regiment of Kentucky, and thus the satisfaction high esteem to win the war. Moreover, only one voice prevails in camp, that the satisfaction and readiness of the men to make sacrifices, prepared to cheerfully strike at fortifications with their property and blood in order to procure a higher good, namely freedom. Mr. Hailman acts as temporary commander of the camp, and does all within his power, to maintain the morale of the men, and he turns no one away with a negative answer who brings a reasonable request to him. Drills are daily from 8 until 10 1/2 o'clock and from 2 until 4 1/2 o'clock, and the men make visible progress in drills. Food and drink leave nothing to be desired and so far there have been no complaints. Likewise for clothing splendidly looked after by our provisional quartermaster Mr. Billing, who as an industrious and tireless man, is universally respected and popular. One should not delay to join this regiment as soon as possible, so that it is full and ready to help with the present battle, so that Kentucky's Germans can bring home some of the honor, which the population of the Northern States of the once so blessed United States and United Union are in the process of gaining over the Southern enemy and rebellious hordes. Delay no longer Kentucky's energetic German men and hurry here as a man to the flag of our regiment and gain fame and honor by fighting, also the future generations will look back proudly on you, and long will your name go honorably from mouth to mouth.

C.D. Member of the Regiment.

NOTE 

Louisiana State University Libraries has several letters written by Lt. Col. George T. Cotton, 6th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. One letter that says it was written at Camp at Rockcastle River, Rockcastle, KY on October 23, 1862; another at Camp near Nashville, December 26th 1862; and another at Camp Clear C[?] R. Mississippi on June 16, 1862; and another at Camp Silver Spring, 17 Miles from Nashville, dated November 17, 1862. The letters are written to his wife, and signed George T. Cotton. The letters cannot be reproduced here. 

Thirty-nine Letters of Amos Mount, Company B

go to link below

http://www.oldhamcountyhistoricalsociety.org/

Published February 7, 1862

COL. WHITAKER’S SIXTH KENTUCKY REGIMENT. – A correspondent of the Shelby News having visited the camp of the Kentucky 6th, gives the following interesting incidents of his tour: