William C. Holbrook to Mother
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I wrote Father a few days ago. chiefly on business. & one giving an account of the battle.
Since the fight we have been busy getting ready to meet them again should they come. they suffered severely in the attack & I dont think will be in haste to repeat it.
Our regt. lost three or four killed & about a dozen wounded among the killed
was my boy Jack. he was some - what in advance of ourlines he was a very
usefullboy & I was very sorry to
lose him. The officers have made
up a purse & Col Robert's body
will be embalmed & sent to his friends in Vt. it was a severe blow to the
regt. to lose him he was a good officer & an excellent man. Col. Faillam is
now in command. he is very unpopular with the regt & I hear the officer are
going to ask him to resign. there is a unanimous wish that I be appointed Col.
should he resign.
I should much prefer to go in a regt. whos destination is Virginia. there is one
thing however. should I be made Col. of this regt. it would cause less talk
among the plebiaus of Vt. I have no great desire to take a regt here as it cuts
me off from resigning that isa making
my cause promotion. still if nothing better can be
done I may consider to accept such an alternation. This summers campaign has
been very severe & our privations & sufferings have been great. I have
[ ] up under it as well as the best of
them. I should like to see a good West Point officer at the head of this regt.
but all the officers are anxious that I should command them.
I should not wonder if another demonstration was made on this place before long I
think we shall give a better account of ourselves than before. It is rumored
that Gen. Phelps has been recalled
I wish he would let the nigger
question alone as he would make a caluable officer if he would.
Gen. Butler has paid the troop at this place quite a handsome compliment for our conduct in the fight & we are to have Baton Rouge inscribed on our colors. The Bratt. papers I received & also your letter. I wish you would send more of the papers. although dry it is pleasant to know what is going on in Vt.
The health of the regt. is improving fast. I send to Father a "Sesesh" flag that I took by at Fort Pike
With much love to all and at home & also to Betsey whenever you see her as you
Your Aff SonW C Holbrook