"Aaron Martin to Father." (1862) Rice University: https://scholarship.rice.edu/handle/1911/92636.

[[Page 1]]

[[faint line upside down at top of page 1: "of the Ohio, [[crossed out]] via Summerville Ky.]]

Perrysville Oct 10, 1862

My Dear Father,

Since I wrote Billy we have met
the enemy & had a sever engagement coming off
victorious. The battle commenced the same day I
wrote home last, the next day after we had that
long, hard march on Monday. It commenced about
five o'clock in P.M. Our Reg. being behind
was put on force march, & drawn up in battle
array in a very safe & good position behind our
battery. the 8th Wisconsin, we were between two
hills in a kind of ravine. the cannons on top
of hill in front. We were at this time not very
near the enemy as we were drawn up as reserve
troops. Firing ceased little after dark. We slept with
accoutrements on & guns by our side. Early next
morning firing commenced & has kept up till dark
again. Our position was not left till 2 o'clock in
P.M. when we advanced nearer to relieve the old
troops that had been fighting all day. Again we were
drawn up on line of battle behind our cannons
& the 75th Reg. behind us at this time the firing

[[Page 2]]

[[faint line of upside down handwriting, possibly from back of paper? "A. R. 74th Reg. 3rd Brigade 9th Division army."??]]


was tremendous. The right-wing being in 
a tight fix we were again ordered to advance this
time to help the right-wing. We went forward on double
quick & before we got there the thing was decided in our
favor, being now dark we laid down on our arms, for
rest. We had lain but a short time before we were called
to attention, you ought to have seen us spring
to our feet. They again advanced us on double
quick, through a piece of woods about a mile &
brought us to another field, by the side of 13 [[ammunition?]]
wagons & 109 prisoners, then we guarded till next morning
when they were taken to head quarters. This was all 
to do with fight. I am safe & well, & have had more
to eat & drink during the last two or three days. The battle
ended yesterday morning, when the enemy skedaddled in
a [[unclear]]. Last night we camped on enemy ground
near where McCook's division fought them. His corps
had the hardest of & killed the most. I did not know till
last night that the battle was so desperate. Over 1,600
soldiers were killed & wounded on our side, & 4,000 on enemy. at
great many of the enemy threw down their guns in 
disgust, they left over 5,000 stock of arms. I have no
anxiety for such rights. We are to move again this morning.
Where I know not it is reported that we have 
an army around Bragg & that we are to close on
him & force him to surrender. If he had not left
as he did yesterday morning we would have had him
now. Our army took a number of prisoners the
exact number I have not been able to learn. We had
a narrow escape Wednesday P.M., when the firing was 
so heavy. The 75 Reg. that was behind at that time & that were in
the same brigade did not understand an order that was given
& instead of going with us went to the left & by small blunder
were brought into action & cut up badly. A. H. Martin