HEADQUARTERS Co. C.,
5th REGT., KENTUCKY VOL., C.S.A.
Village of Greenfield, Spring, 1864.
MEN OF Co. C.,
COMPANY: The Fifth saw it's first action of the year at Greenfield Village. A news reporter was able to capture some of the gruesome activity in photos here: See News Photos. Our company survived with few casualties, but many soldiers are reported captured by the Federal forces, mainly the 24th MI Inf. Men were marched from the battlefield to be processed at the nearby Federal HQ at the Susquehanna plantation, then transported north to an awaiting prison. Pvt. Melcher has sworn his Oath of Allegiance to the United States Govt. and has shamed us all. God have mercy on his mother for forcing him into it. Godspeed to our lost brethren. With Capt. Adams taking ill on the last day of battle, charge of the company was given to the 1st. Sgt., who acted with remarkable skill and valor. I hear he might be promoted, or receive a medal... something.
Federal forces have retreated from the area, leaving the village to our control. The mood is pleasant with many of the local civilians providing us with necessary supplies and general comforts, especially since our own food rations have been found to be light due to some supply wagons being lost during battle. The Soldiers' Aide Society distributed care packages to all of the men. Many thanks and blessing upon their gentle souls. The Bourbon County Minstrels have had ample opportunity to liven the men. I hear the fiddler is getting quite good.
The 5th KY will be marching to Ft. Meigs in the next coming weeks and are ordered to garrison it from the evening of June 13th to the 15th.
For God and the South.
Respectfully,
Zachariah L. Springer,
1st Sergeant