Article from – The New York Times, Jul 13, 1864, in part--------
I was yesterday permitted to copy the following extract from a private letter, received here, from an officer in the army. I learn that it will be published in full tomorrow, and I send you this portion in advance:
I witnessed a strange scene yesterday, in front of Davis’ division, during the burial of the dead who were killed in terrific and disastrous charge of the 27th Grouped together in seemingly fraternal unity were officers and men of both contending armies, who but five minutes before were engaged in the work of slaughter and death! There were Gens, Cleburne, Cheatham, Hindman and Maney in busy converse with , as I subsequently learned, the officers of the Fourteenth Michigan Infantry, who , it seemed, were well acquainted with the families of many of the Tennessee officers and soldiers in Cheathams’ division. Cheatham looks rugged and healthy, though seemingly sad and despondent. He wore his “fatigue” dress, a blue flannel shirt, black necktie, gray homespun pantaloons and slouch black hat. At first he was not disposed to be either inquisitive or communicative, but after putting himself outside a few heavy jorums of commissary whisky from the bottle of one of our officers “he was himself again” and made many inquiries about Nashvillians and the rock City. Gen Maney was less reserved. He was elegantly dressed, as were also Lieut. Col. House, Capts. McLean and Atkinson, Capt. Lee , from Columbia, being introduced to Capt. Nixon, of the Fourteenth Michigan asked:
“Do you belong to Mizner’s regiment, for some time stationed at Franklin and Columbia?”
“Yes, Sir; I do.”
“Then you are the man who was Provost Marshal?”
“Yes, sir.”
“It is well for you,” said the coxcombish Capt. Lee “that we didn’t get possession of that place and you – I would have hung you!”
“No you wouldn’t,” interposed a red-haired, red-eyed Maj. Hawkins, (formerly deputy sheriff of Nashville,) for the boys say their folks were better treated by these Michigan men than by any troops ever stationed there.”
“That’s so,” said Maj. Vaulse, of Cheatham’s Staff, “boys, that’s better whisky than we’ve got,” (reaching for the ardent.)
Col. House was in charge of the burying party, and was courteous and affable, putting on his most insinuating smiles.
Being reminded of the antagonistic attitude of himself and his brother, (Sam of Franklin,) who was reported as making “reconstruction speeches,” and being a loyal man, he remarked: “Well, Sam was always a conservative man, but I don’t think he is very loyal.”
Col. Cook, from Franklin, Tenn. who was wounded a few days since, died yesterday. Col. Clancy, of the Fifty-second Ohio, in talking to Gens. Maney and Hindman, remarked that it was a sad state of affairs to witness human beings of a common origin and nationality dig two hours every day to bury the dead of twenty minutes’ fighting “Yes, yes indeed,” added one, “but if the settlement of this thing were left to our armies, there would be peace and good-fellowship established in two hours.” “General” said a Federal officer, addressing long-haired Hindman, “What do you think if the outcome of this contest were left to your division and ours in a fair field?” “I’d abide the result, and would as soon fight Davis’ division as any other,” quoth Hindman. “I would want” said Gen. Maney “ that our forces should be equalized – Davis’ division may be stronger than ours.” “O, it matters little as to superiority of numbers on our side” said the Federal officer; “you can whip us, one rebel to five Yankees.” Maney, applying the flask to his mouth, and complimenting our Commissary Department, said: “Bosh’ If any of our people ever believed that, I think by this time that idea is damned well played out.” The Tennessee regiments were woefully decimated, suffering heavily in every skirmish and battle. I think we shall certainly have news by tomorrow; perhaps by this evening.
The article is signed “HANDEL” and attributed to “Correspondence of the Chicago Evening Journal” It is datelined, “Nashville, July 6, 1864