Manuscript Database
Creator/Title
Patterson, Egbert C., b. ca. 1846. Letters, 1864-1865. 4 items.
Call No.
Mss. C P
Content
Written to his mother, Rachel Gore Patterson (1805-1889), and sister in 1864 and 1865, the letters of Pvt. Egbert C. Patterson of the 12th Indiana Cavalry describe his military service in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. In a letter dated 18 May 1864 from Green River, Kentucky he describes a recent scout into the mountains while his regiment was en route from Louisville to Nashville, Tennessee. On 24 December 1864 he describes the third battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee on 5-7 December. He writes, "I got enough of it (combat) this time," adding, "I did not get hurt but there was one man killed right by my side." In subsequent letters from Vicksburg, Mississippi he reports that he contracted smallpox while on duty with the U. S. Christian Commission and was afterwards detailed in that city as a military hospital nurse. In a letter to his sister dated 18 April 1865 he writes, "the folks down here think it (the war) will not last longer than this summer."