On the 3rd inst. we attacked the Feds in Corinth and drove them from their out diches with little or no loss.Our regiment fought them near their inner entrenchments and were repulsed with heavy loss.We lost in our Co.killed Henry G King, Robert T.Spearman. Wounded W.A. Rhea toes shot off,Waddy H.Cannon in right arm slight, Smith B.Scott, Isaac C.Parr, N.J.Sysk all slight and are now in Co. George H.White flesh wound in thigh second day. W.A. Savage flesh wound in thigh. Joseph B.Willmeth left on field I know not where or how badly he was wounded as he fell within 20 feet of the diches while nobly leading the Co. the command of which had devolved upon him. John W. Rhea I fear mortally.He was also left. George Creager slight in right knee though so badly he could not get off the field. Collin J.McKinney flesh wound in thigh.He was brought off safe. His would I hope will soon be well. Next and nearest to you is Robert A. Milam who was left upon the battle field. He was shot either above or below the knee as he was after ward seen sitting posture dressing his own wound. I hope it is but slight. Among the missing are Duke Gillaland, John W.West, William H.Despain, John W.Pattie, William A. McKinney. I reached the diches with several others and there to my joy found them filled with dead yankees.
We charged through fallen timber for 150 or 200 yards which broke our lines all to pieces.After getting there we received no reinforcements and had to fall back. Consequently we had no time to take our wounded away in retreating.
The next day we were stopped at a bridge on the Hatchie River in attempting to force our passage which we did but was again Repulsed with severe loss and had to recross. Many were cut off from crossing and taken Prisoners. We lost in killed Isham A. Keltner, wounded Lorenzo Dow Chapman slightly in head. Missing G. Chapman, John T. _____, John S.White. We sent back the next day from our Reg. 10 men to bury the dead. When they return I will have more leisure and will write a long letter and give full particulars. Our men done their duty. I cannot particularize any of them. We have as gallant a Company as ever marched to the battle field. Grieve not after the spirits that have fallen. They have sealed with a seal that will never be broken their love to their country. Your son in good health. George S. Milam
NOTES
Letter transcribed by Mike Thompson December 10,2009 from original furnished by the late Helen Gibbard.Hall,McKinney,Collin County,Texas.
George S. Milam Company D, 6th.Texas Cavalry Regiment. George and Robert were nephews of the famous Texan Ben Milam.
The soldiers were all from Collin County,Texas.
MWT