look at the 9th Michigan Infantry in the aftermath of the Battle of Stones River. Adjutant
Henry Martyn Duffield wrote to his sister, Therese Hume Duffield, describing the regiment’s
condition, administrative burdens, and internal tensions as the army reorganized.
The 9th Michigan had passed through West Point, Kentucky in 1861–62, helping build Fort Duffield
before moving south with the Union Army. This letter continues their story and connects the builders
of Fort Duffield to the larger campaigns of the Western Theater.
Full Transcription — Letter of January 19, 1863
Original Spelling
Head Quarters 9th Regt. Mich. Infty Vols
Murfreesboro, Tenn
January 19th, 1863
My dear Hume,
I had intended writing you long ere this but have been very busy indeed, which added to the fact
that our mails are like the “Indian epistles of the white man’s mighty civilization,” has induced
me thus far not to hazard a letter that might miscarry.
When we first returned to the regiment we found it in very poor condition. Capt. Jenny, being
unaccustomed to care for more than his company, and I suppose also that a new battalion with no
field officer present found it hard to get what they required, had allowed the boys to get out of
almost all articles of clothing and camp and garrison equipage. So I formed work immediately upon
my arrival. The Major, who is a most worthy man and officer, said that I knew how to encounter
red‑tape officials better than the rest of them, and made me a sort of temporary Quarter Master.
During the week that we lay on the Franklin Turnpike a few miles from Nashville, I fitted the boys
out with boots, stockings (I dined and issued some bits of socks, so you can tell how they were
whipped in that respect), blouses and rubber blankets. All of which was a very simple matter, but
having to dance attendance on these officials to get a requisition approved and mailed, and more
to procure an order directing the issue, took considerable time.
We advanced with the army here, reaching the city on Monday the 5th, and entering among the first
regiments.
Since then I have been very busy getting up the regimental papers and books which had not only
been lost at the fight in July last, but had also never been properly kept since I left the
regiment in March last. I found letters from Genl Robertson of Michigan and Genl Harlan at
Washington stating that no Quartermaster returns for this regiment had been received since March
1862. It has kept me hard at work, and in addition thereto I have been appointed by Genl Thomas as
Acting Inspector General, which adds to my duties considerably.
The regiment did good service here during the fight, although not under any heavy fire, by checking
a panic which would otherwise have spread through the entire right wing of our army, and for their
behavior were highly complimented by Genl Thomas, Chief of Staff, and by the General himself.
There is no reason that I see why we should not do well if the officers would do their duty. But I
am sorry to say that there is not the zeal manifested by them that the circumstances demand.
Parkhurst could be one of the most efficient commanding officers we could desire, and I think he
will be anywhere but here, but the besetting sin seems to have taken hold of him again, and not a
night passes that friends of mine in camp do not say he and our acting Major, Captain Rivers, are
gone every night.
Good old Major McLemore, who thinks I am a model soldier and am “brash” on military matters, comes
in regularly and says: “Well Adjutant, you and I have got the regiment to run again tonight. I
guess they had better let us run it altogether.” This course necessarily produces great
dissatisfaction among the subordinate officers, especially those who were here in July last and
saw the consequences.
At the time of the stampede Wednesday morning, the Colonel had to send me to the left of the line
to form it into shape. Rivers had thrown out no guides, and being huddled up like sheep with no
formation whatever, were in imminent danger of being cut down by the frightened fugitives and
carried in the panic.
Another cause of discontent is the promotions that have been and are being made in the regiment.
When I returned I saw that there would be trouble on this score… (continues)
[Full original text continues — include remaining paragraphs here]
Modern Spelling
Headquarters, 9th Michigan Infantry
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
January 19, 1863
My dear Hume,
I meant to write long before this, but I have been extremely busy, and our mails are so unreliable
that I hesitated to send a letter that might never reach you.
When we returned to the regiment, we found it in very poor condition. Captain Jenny, unaccustomed
to caring for more than his own company, and a new battalion with no field officers present, had
allowed the men to run short of nearly all clothing and camp equipment. I immediately set to work.
The Major said I knew how to deal with red‑tape officials better than the rest and made me a
temporary quartermaster.
While we were encamped on the Franklin Turnpike near Nashville, I fitted the men out with boots,
stockings, blouses, and rubber blankets. The work itself was simple, but getting requisitions
approved and orders issued took time.
We reached Murfreesboro on Monday the 5th, among the first regiments to enter the city.
Since then I have been occupied restoring the regimental papers and books, which were lost in the
July fight and never properly kept afterward. Letters from General Robertson and General Harlan
stated that no Quartermaster returns had been received since March 1862. General Thomas has now
appointed me Acting Inspector General, adding still more duties.
The regiment behaved well in the recent battle, checking a panic that might have spread through the
entire right wing. General Thomas praised them highly.
We could do very well if the officers would do their duty, but many show little zeal. Colonel
Parkhurst could be an excellent commander, but his old habits have returned, and he and Captain
Rivers are gone from camp nearly every night.
Major McLemore often says, “Well, Adjutant, you and I have the regiment to run again tonight.”
This naturally causes dissatisfaction among the officers, especially those who saw the consequences
last July.
During the stampede on Wednesday morning, the Colonel sent me to form the left of the line. Rivers
had thrown out no guides, and the men, huddled like sheep, were in danger of being swept away by
the fleeing troops.
Another source of discontent is the recent promotions… (continues)
[Full modern text continues — include remaining paragraphs here]
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