This 4 page letter in ink was written by Corpl. August Schlapp, a 24 year old, born in Germany and living in Burlington, Iowa.  The 5th Iowa Cavalry was called the Curtus Horse.  This letter gives an interesting account of their capture at Lockridge’s Mill, Tennessee. 

·         “…we received reliable information that 3,000 rebel cavalry cut off our retreat via Paris
and were then on our pursue 4 miles in our rear…”

·         “Seven miles from Dresden we stopped and camped, upon order unsaddling our horses, and
preparing supper, when all at once we were attacked by 22,00 Secesh cavalry.  We slapped
on our saddles and off we went to where our main force was encamped, you here will
remember that 40 out of our whole force of 128 fleeing one of them kept a mile in the rear
of the balance as rear guard many of this our rear guard was killed, wounded or taken
prisoners, before they got to their horses.  When we got to the other camp they was not
mounted, but most of them soon became so, and we formed a line of battle, but after a very
short stand were ordered to retreat, which was done in no order at all, but in an astonishing
 hurry, then commenced such a funny race between Secesh and Union soldiers which I never
witnessed before.  Horses plunging into holes, men tumbling off killed or wounded or jumping
off and taking to the bushes, with the constant roar of musket, carabine and pistol fire, saber
rattle & Indian like yell of the men made a laughable fuss for a cool listener.  To make short
a long story 61 of us were taken prisoners, Charles Ende, Henry Schlapp and my small self
with and among them.”

·         “Making Moresville, Spring Creek & Jackson, Tenessee as far as Jackson, Mississippi, from
there back to Corinth, where we was sent on parole across the lines, into Hallecks Camps. 
There we met with severe ill treatment from Halleck who contrary to our oath put us to
hospital work such as digging graves and burying dead.  At last we were sent to our
Regiment and upon refusing to report for duty before regularly exchanged, were put in the
Guard house and bound to hard labor.  After two weeks confinement they read us an order
which releaved us of our parole.  Most of us believed the order to be a counterfeit and said
so, refusing to do duty, those 24 in number were dishonorably discharged or brought over
the lines of our camp.  Charles Ende, Hy Schlapp & myself entered the company again.”

The letter has quite a bit of staining and aging but does not detract from the great “character” that the letter has.  The letter was written from Hieman, Tennessee on July 6th, 1862.  For the Iowa or Cavalry collector, this is a really great letter!

#L208 - Price $435