Letter from Bolling Hall, Jr., in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to his father in Alabama.
From June 1862 to November 1863, Bolling Hall, Jr., was lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Battalion, Hilliard's Legion. In the letter he discusses conditions in camp ("The place is I think a very unhealthy one"); arms they have received; his own duties and position; and the negative attit...
| Format: | Electronic |
|---|---|
| Published: |
Alabama Department of Archives and History
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://cdm17217.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/voices/id/4933 |
| Summary: | From June 1862 to November 1863, Bolling Hall, Jr., was lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Battalion, Hilliard's Legion. In the letter he discusses conditions in camp ("The place is I think a very unhealthy one"); arms they have received; his own duties and position; and the negative attitude of men in the regiment toward him and other officers ("There is one thing though & that is the other two Battalions hate each other worse than they do me"); and shoes that he needs ("In two days I am afraid I shall be shoeless...For goodness sake don't forget it but send them immediately"). He is not popular among the men because of the "strict military rule" he demands: "I almost got exasperated with my officers before I could get anything out of them so I adopted Old Braggs [sic] plan. I called them all up & told them the rules they should go by...and finally told them that if very shortly they did not make themselves proficient I should apply to Gen. McCown to reduce them to the ranks & appoint others in their stead on the ground of their utter incompetency. This last excited them so that they are trying a little harder than they did I think in a short time if I can hold up myself I can make it a well drilled & organized body but the fact is I have a terribly green set to deal with." A transcription is included. |
|---|