Two Immigrants for the Union.' Their Civil War Letters - Norwegian ...

IMMIGRANTS FOR THE UNION
captured by the Rebels and were burned and many of
our regiment left behind. If that is true, they must be
prisoners. Our knapsacks and clothes would also be
lost, and we would have to buy new clothing again.
So far as the war goes, I know nothing new. But it
seems like it will be a long time before we can come
home again. As long as we can hold on to life and good
health, we still have hope of seeing each other again. I
do so wish I could be home, if only for a short while. I am
so terribly tired of these long marches. I long for a little
peace and quiet, if only for a little while. But I am afraid
we must be off again- where, I don't know.
Lars Olsen Dokken
13. UNSCATHED IN FIERCE BATTLE
Perryville, Kentucky October 10, 1862
In this moment of leisure I must take pen in hand and
write you a few simple lines to let you know that I am
well, for which I thank God. I was glad to have the same
news from you in your letter of September 3 and also in
one from A. Sanderson of September 12, that you are all
in good health at the present time. These letters arrived
on September 29, in Louisville. I read them with great
joy; especially was I glad to hear that the money I sent
had arrived safely. I see that you have sent many letters
to me that I have never received. I hope they will reach
me yet.
I sent a letter to you from Louisville in which I told
you about the long marches we had after the Rebels. We
did not stay long in Louisville. On October l we were
ready to decamp again. We marched for 7 days, following
the Rebels, then made bivouac about 6 miles from Perryville,
which lies about 60 or 70 miles southeast of
Louisville. We marched through the towns of Mount
Washington, Bardstown, and Springfield, then to a small
town where we engaged in combat. 27
It began shortly after noon on October 7. It was a fierce
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