Camp Pawnee, Sept. 24th, 1864.
Dear Wife:
Your kind favor of the 11th came yesterday. I was glad to hear that you were all well. I am quite well, although there is much sickness in our Co. There was a train of 320 U.S. Wagons, loaded with guns, ammunition and commissary stores started from Fort Scott with an escort of 250 fighting men to go to Fort Gibson. They passed our camp on the 17th inst and proceeded on their way to a place called Cabin Creek, about 50 miles south of us, when they were attacked at two o'clock at night by 1500 Rebels. They captured the entire train of wagons and scattered our men like chaff before the wind. The Rebels had artillery and our men had none. They burnt one half the train, took the other half and started south. But they paid dear for their temerity. News of the disaster got to Gibson and a battalion came and met the Rebels and cut them all up and retook most of the train. A dispatch came here from them last night stating it would take two days to bury the dead Rebels. There were some of our men killed at Cabin Creek, I do not know the number.
Well, I fear I shall not get an answer to this at this place. It seems to be the opinion that we will be sent to the front soon. At what place I have no idea. We have orders to be ready to march at any hour. If we are ordered from here, it will be so sudden, I presume, that I could not write. But you can continue to write to Fort Scott.
My mare has a fistula on the shoulders. It is very hard to cure. I wish I had sold her. I calculate to take her to a farm at Fort Scott tomorrow, to get her cured if I can. It will cost me some to get her cured. I have sold my saddle for $23. Enclosed I send you $5.00. I shall continue to do so every letter, if you receive it, till I notify you differently. I could send more at a time, but fear it will miscarry. I sent $1.50 to St. Louis for a newspaper and have never heard from it.... I sent the money to the P.O. by a man that I think stole it.
The nomination of Gen. McLellan meets with my entire approbation. I would be willing to travel a thousand miles on foot if I knew it would secure his election. His election alone can save our once happy Country -- that is my belief. Things in our Co. are conducted bad enough. Neither the men or horses get full rations... There was no such complaint when Thompson was Capt. I do not think I shall remain in Co. M any longer than the expiration of my three years. I do not wish to be under officers that charge the Govt full feed for the horses and then not give them half that the military law allows them. I live in hopes, my Dear Wife, till after election. Then if we are beaten we must submit to it and serve out the time for which we enlisted, and be taxed so high the residue of our lives that they will be grevious to be borne. By the talk in our Co. I think there will be some leave our Co. in the Spring in a way I should never think of doing myself, and some think of enlisting in the Navy.
I advise you not to sell any hay till you know you have it to spare.
I have no news from the boys since the capture of Atlanta....
I am as ever your affectionate Husband
C. N. Mumford