Americus Rice to William Gribben, April 13, 1862 letter

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Headquarters of 57th Reg., O.V.I.
Camp Shiloh, Pitsburg [sic] Landing, Tenn.
April 13th, 1862

Hon. Wm. Gribben
My Dead Friend
You have been
informed by a letter from Col. Mungen +
from other sources of information of the un-
timely fate of your brother.  I hardly know
how to write you. I am too full to give ex-
pression to my feelings.  The Capt. had 
been out with his company on picket duty
on Saturday night.  Early in the morning, being 
relieved, he came into camp with his com-
mand + informed us that the enemy was 
near in great force.  We immediately fell into
line, + but for the timely information of the
Capt would all have been cut up + lost. Such
was the utter ignorance of affairs by our Gen-
erals + superior officers.  (That we were sur-
prised there can be no doubt, + were it not for
the dogged persistence + hard fighting of the Union
forces on Sunday, all would have been lost.  I
hope to God that those high in command who
are responsible for this surprise may have to
account for it.)  We were in line before break-
fast. Col. Mungen + Major Walker were both quite
unwell + it devolved [sic] on me to take charge of

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of the Regiment.  We fought long + well +
fairly repulsed them + protected our own camp, 
when they, driving out the 53rd [Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment] from their quarters, 
out flanked us, + we had to change front + receive 
them on our left.  The Capt. led his men on most
bravely through the thickest of the fire regardless of
personal danger.  He fell near the middle of the
day having been in the fight about five (5) hours,
pierced with a Minie ball just above the right 
nipple.  As he fell he threw his hand to his breast
+ exclaimed "Oh my God, give them hell boys, 
I'm dead."  He said no more.  I rode up to him, 
got off my horse, spoke to him + asked him if he
did not know me + for him to speak to me, but he
was unconscious, + was fast breathing his life
away.  For a moment I was unmanned.  I was
discouraged + almost gave up.  He was to me
more as a brother than anything else, + I could
hardly give him up. We were in much danger now 
of being captured, but I succeeded in having him 
taken away + placed in an ambulance + taken to
the river, where he is interred as well as possible, as
we are expecting you here in a few days with a metallic
coffin for his remains.  We remained on the field all
day + slept (not slept but laid) on our arms all night
in the rain, with the enemy but a short distance from our
lines.  But what a night.  A gloom has been cast 
over the whole Regiment, for he was universally

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beloved + esteemed.  And I would give to you +
the rest of the family my condolence in this deep hour
of affliction.  We loved him for his bravery, his
talents, his kind pleasing disposition, + his noble daring.
He died the "bravest of the brave".  It's hard to give
him up, but his image will ever be graven in 
our memories.  We hope we have in part
avenged his death.  The Regiment withstood
the final onsought [onslaught] of the enemy, + acted most
nobly + gallantly.  We were on the field both
Sunday + Monday, also followed them on 
Tuesday, when we had a very sharp en-
counter about 6 miles in advance, when
they routed our cavalry + would have done
much injury had not the 57th charged bay-
onet + routed them.  Our loss is over
one hundred killed + wounded.  You see
we have suffered very much.  I have sent you
by Dr. Lemur  the Capt.'s effects, which were saved 
from the enemy, most of which were on his person.
Give my kindest regards to Drs. Godfrey + Monroe
+ Hon. Marshall..  Write me when you can
+ believe me ever very truly yours
A.V. Rice