Sayles, Sumner (fl. 1862-1868) to Isora Skinkle
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.32.35 Author/Creator: Sayles, Sumner (fl. 1862-1868) Place Written: Memphis, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 June 1864 Pagination: 3p. : envelope ; 20.2 x 31.8 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his sister. Reports on the casualties they received during a recent battle. Discusses the various men that were either killed or wounded, including their colonel. Describes his colonel as being one of the best and that "some of the boys cried like babies when they heard that he was killed." Comments that the rough march up the Red River was nothing compared to this last march. Describes marching for two nights and one day without halting more than an hour at a time. Writes that he does not know how many men they lost but they "are cut to pieces pretty bad."
Sumner Sayles enlisted as a private on 9 August 1862. He mustered into "H" Co. IL 95th Infantry. He mustered out on 17 August 1865. The Battle of Brice's Crossroad took place outside of Corinth, Mississippi on 10 June 1864. Under the leadership of General Nathan Forrest, the Confederates managed to overtake General Samuel D. Sturgis and his men. The Confederates suffered 492 casualties while the Union suffered 2240 casualties and lost most of their artillery.
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