Carl Witte, Capt. Co. "E", 27th Wis. Vol. Inf.*”!

Personal. We were pleased, yesterday, to feel the cordial hand-grasp, and look into the
genial countenance of ex-Quartermaster Wm. N. Shafter, of the 27th Infantry. Although he says
he arrived at the home of his family in Plymouth in season to vote for "Old Abe and us," both of
which votes we duly appreciate -- we still supposed him rusticating among the hills of the Green
Mountain State, where he has been recuperating his health during the last five or six months,
while settling up the estate of his deceased father. He informs us that he has not yet fully
recovered his health, which was so badly damaged by his long sickness while in the army, but
that it has improved more rapidly since the commencement of colder weather. We hope his
days are yet to be many and prosperous in the land.*”

From the 27th Regiment. New Camping Ground -- Building Winter Quarters -- The Climate --
The End Rebellion is Near -- Suffering Caused by it -- Election Day.

H'D Qrs. 27th Wis. Vol. Inf.

Little Rock, Ark. Dec. 2, 1864.

Editor Times: Dear Sir, In a little log house, on the north of the Arkansas, near which at
one time stood the flourishing Village of Huntersville, is seated your humble servant. He is trying
to think how he can best pass away the long evening, for it is dark and stormy, and he feels rather
lonesome sitting all alone by his little mud hearth, with nothing to cheer him but his own silent
reflections, the voice of the cricket or the occasional hum of a mosquito. Suddenly pleasing
memories flit across his mind and he takes his pen in hand to drop a few lines to the Evergreen
City.

Tattoo has just been sounded in the different camps, and the music of the drum, the bugle
and fife, are still ringing in my ears. The soldiers are preparing for another night's rest, and all is
now quiet. I will just stir up the coals. Now as the bright flame lights up the room, I will try and
tell you all about what has happened to us since my last letter, which was written at Pine Bluff.

We returned from that lovely land, of screech owls and alligators on the 24th of October,
since which time we have been very busy building winter quarters, as we had to leave our old
camp on the south side of the river, having been assigned to duty as guard for the Rail Road west
from Brownsville to this place, a distance of 30 miles. Five companies are stationed at different
posts along the road, and the balance are with Head Quarters at this place, called Huntersville.
But you would have to hunt a long time to find any such place now, for all that remains to be seen
is a low bottom over which the Arkansas, remarkable for its sudden ups and downs, used to take
its course, overflowing many a beautiful plantation, and carrying with its swift current mountains
of the rich soil, which, with the assistance of time, has formed a ridge or embankment, upon
which we are now encamped. We are nearly through with our work and will have the best
quarters we have ever had before. The accomodations for the sick are also excellent, as several
large buildings have been erected especially for their use. It is the Surgeon's intention to keep

 

**! Evergreen City Times, Sheboygan, Dec. 3, 1864, p. 1/2.
* Evergreen City Times, Sheboygan, Dec. 3, 1864, p. 1/4.

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