Manuscript Database
Creator/Title
Barrett, David Mitchell, 1829-1909. Letter, 16 Feb. 1863. ALS, 4 pp.
Call No.
Mss. C B
Content
In a letter to his father from a camp near Nashville, Tenn., Capt. David Barrett of the 89th Ohio Inf. reports that he has rejoined his unit which journeyed to the front lines by river transport. En route, he writes, he witnessed the 3 Feb. 1863 Confederate cavalry assault (by Gen. Joseph Wheeler) against the Union fortifications at Dover, Tenn. near Ft. Donelson. He describes the heroic defense of the position by the 83rd Illinois and the defeat of the attacking force with the assistance of Union gunboats. He then describes the battlefield where the "Rebels fought like dare devils." He concludes his letter with a description of the regimental camp near Nashville, his personal quarters, and local weather conditions.