E. Bouton to F. A. Hoffman

Head Quarters Boutons Battery,

Fort Pickering Memphis Tenn Sept 18th 1862

Lieut Gov F A Hoffman

Dear Governor

While trying to invent Some skeeme for killing time & breaking the dull monotony of our every day camp life the idea Suggested itsself of writeing a few lines to you of rather a business character in which I should be the main party interested. Which suggestion you see I have at once proceeded to put into execution, hopeing you would excuse my presumption & selfishness in thus intrudeing upon your valuable time

I take great pleasure in returning you my most Sincere & heartfelt thanks for the great favor you did me in assisting me to attain my present position

My Battery has done good service in the field and has even exceeded my most Sanguine expectations

I took it onto the field of Shiloh almost entirely without Battery drill and held it under heavy fire most of the time during both days.

and held every position I took

Though I was a stranger just arrived on the field the morning the battle commenced and not attached to any Division with no one to credit or praise us, Col Dubois Chief of Artilery on Hallecks staff told Capt Cogswell some time after the Battle that my Battery did more actual fighting & better Service than any other Battery on the field

Taylors Battery received the credit in print for the Artilery duel which I fought about 3 PM Apr 6" with the 3d Lousiana Battery, but I can produce the affidavits of at least 100 com officers that it was my Battery & that Taylor's Battery did not fire a shot on that field after 11 AM the first day

At about 4 1/2 P.M. Sunday I was in Battery directly to the right of and commanding the junction of the Hamburgh & Purdy roads when a 24 pdr four gun Battery came down on the Hamburgh road & took a position at the junction on our extreme left and a 6 pdr six gun Battery came in on the Purdy road and took a position at a left oblique from my Battery & both opened on me at easy canister range with shell & solid shot

I had no sooner received their cross fire than the three Regiments of Infantry who were supporting me fell back in disorder on our main line, with the exception of two companies of Indiana boys. Abot this time an Aid rode up who I did not know & ordered me to take my Battery off & save it if I could, but I paid no attention to him but answered the Rebel Batteries promptly with three guns each, double shoted with canister and in twenty five minutes entirely silenced the 6 pdr Battery & eventually two of the 24pdr howitzers

About this time I saw the Rebels makeing a demonstration in my front when I immediately changed front forward on right piece & received a charge from two Regiments of Rebel infantry who came down on us in beautiful style at double quick with arms at a trail & I afterwards learned that these orders were to charge & take my Battery without fireing a shot, but I recd them with my full Battery double shoted with canister at about 300 years & soon made them about face, break ranks & skedaddle back into the timber

I took off my Battery that night with two guns havin but two horses each & one gun by hand & saved

everything

That night I worked all night getting my Battery in condition for the field, welding the Axletree of one of my guns which had been broken by a 6 pdr solid shot & had everythin in order, supplied with a new stock of amunition & was on my way out to the front at 9 AM. On the way out I met Col Adams who told me I might stay to the rear on account of the hard service I had done the previous day & the rough treatment I recd, but I prefered the front to the rear, and by so doing got into some as hot work as any of the previous day

I believe my Battery was the only one actually in the fight all day both days. The second day I had two Caissons & three limbers shot all to pieces but took off all my guns & did not loose a piece

We had a verry pretty & sharp little fight at Russells house while advanceing on Corinth for which I recd full credit in Shermans report & in the N.Y Tribune, my Battery being the only one engaged

While congratulating myself for haveing so fine a battery & one which I have so much reason for being proud of I have not forgotten the obligations I am under to you for assisting me

[Sept 18 1862]

in procureing its acceptance by our excelent Governor

And while acknowledgeing my obligations to you for past favors I have to again ask your assistance

To speak frankly & approach the subject at once, I am desirous of promotion

You will of course exclaim what inprecidented selfishness, but to the charge of selfishness I will plead not guilty but will admit of being ambitious in military matters & claim that I have a right to be. My Father & Grandfather both fought their Countries Battles under the glorious old stars and stripes. I did not enter the service for pecunary motives as I could have made two or three times the money doing business & have actually paid out in raiseing my Battery & for its benefit since I was in the field as much as I have recd from Government

I do not desire promotion any more on my own account than to satisfy my friends last who are anxious to have me get clear of the western service & come back to N. Y. where I have friends in high standing & authority who are able & stand ready & willing to assist me to any position I desire

My Brother is an old member of the NY State legislature & is called one of the stronger Republican lobey member at Albany

Among my friends are Hon David Ramsey, Hon Reuben Robie, Hon John Magee, Hon Constant Cook, Lieut Gov Robt Campbell, Hon R B Van Valkenburgh & Hon Erastus Corning & Dean Richmond

All of whom except the two latter have known me from childhood & know of my qualifications as an Artilery officer before I came west.

I have letters of general recommend from them all now in my trunk

Now what I desire is the Majorship of a new Battalion of Light Artilery to be organized out of the new Batteries over filling the 1st & 2nd Regiments. I have not learned precisely how many Batteries have been raised above filling them both, but if enough have not been raised to form a new Battallion, I think if I could have a short leave of absence to go east I could procure the acceptance of the required number, at Washington through the influence of my friends & could easily raise them in Ills

I can procure letters strongly recommending my promotion from officers in high standing in the army of Tenesee

By haveing the kindness to use your influence and assist me in this matter you will place me and mine under lifelong obligations to you and will at any time be at liberty to draw on me at sight for any aid or service you may require to the full extent of your requirements of my ability to serve

Hope you will have the goodness to lay this matter before our worthy Govornor at an early day and let me know at earliest convenience what I can expect

In answer to a letter from My Brother I have just stated that I would request a promotion and if I recd no encouragement would make an effort to get released from the western Army and return home

I would much prefer staying in the Ills Service as my interests & attachments are in Ill & with the Ill Soldiers

I have now written quite a lengthy & I fear to you a verry uninteresting letter. but hopeing you will not consider it unworthy your notice I remain

Every Your Humble Friend & Obt Servt

Capt E Bouton

(Over)

P. S. I think I suffered a sligh injustice at the hands of the state of Ills for which I blame no one nor ask any redress

My commission does not date till some time after I had a sufficient number of men to entitle me to it, while some others who did not get into the field as soon by a month or two, and who then crowded in the minimum companies, and who did not at the time of their entering the service know the difference between [Subot?] & action Rear hold commissions bearing two months or so earlier date than mine

I saw a notice in one of the Chicago papers a few days since that you were at Springfield so I will direct to you there in care of Gov Yates

E. B.

Ans Sept 25-62

Capt. E Bouton

Memphis Tenn. Sep 18 62

Wants to be Major of the new Batalion of Artillery about to be formed of the newly raised batteries

Should be pleased to serve him but officers are promoted regimentally

send G