Manuscript Database
Creator/Title
Ferguson, Cyrus E., 1830-1918. Letter, ca. 1 May 1864. ALS, 4 pp.
Call No.
Mss. C F
Content
In an undated letter to his wife, Cyrus Ferguson of the 15th Iowa Infantry expresses his anguish at leaving her and their home. He describes the regiment's arrival in Cairo, Ill. and subsequent departure by steamboat for Paducah, Ky. He writes they were ordered to Paducah due to reports that the town faced attack by Gen. Nathan Forrest's Confederate cavalry. He adds, "Forrest was not there and had only sent in a flag of truce." He observes that "there is no danger of any general fight here anytime soon." (Note: the Confederate forces in the vicinity were actually led by Gen. Abe Buford of Forrest's command.)