220 NATHANIEL SOUTHGATE SHALER 



have been trusted in the open field. The defences consisted of 

 a few weak redoubts where guns were like angels' visits, few 

 and far between, " connected by rifle pits, behind which the 

 * squirrel hunters/ as the volunteers were termed, found a posi- 

 tion where it was hoped they could make some resistance." 

 Colonel Lew Wallace, who was in command, showed singular 

 energy in the work of organization ; so that the show of resist- 

 ance on the Ohio in connection with Buell's movements and 

 Bragg's dilatoriness caused the Confederates to lose a golden 

 opportunity for doing great things for their cause. Captain 

 Shaler's battery was called into action during this period of tur- 

 moil. His first camping-ground was at Lexington, from which 

 the following letter was written to his wife. 1 



Camp Clay, Nov., "62. 



... Do you remember the old grove beyond Ashland on the road from 

 Lexington? We rode by it one morning about two months ago. Little did 

 I then think that I should have a camp pitched under the shade of its vener- 

 able trees before their leaves had fallen. ... I am not half well, having 

 a bad cold, severe enough to send me to the hospital were I a private in the 

 ranks : as it is, I must try and keep on my feet for a few days until it is fully 

 decided what the fate of my men is to be. Were I to consult my own in- 

 clinations, I should soon be out of this business, and be quite sure that the 

 long coming winter would be spent quietly with you: but I must not con- 

 sult my own inclinations. My officers and men have a claim upon me which 

 I cannot overlook. I must secure to them fair treatment before I look to 

 myself. . . . 



A friend wrote at this time : " . . . Nat has a bad cold and I 

 think will be unwise to stay in camp, for though the weather is 

 pleasant, typhoid pneumonia prevails among the soldiers, most 

 of the cases in hospital being of that character, so, know- 

 ing his obstinacy, you had better come and look after him. 

 He will dine with us to-day and will not return to camp until 

 to-morrow." 



His health undermined by chills and fever, Mr. Shaler suc- 

 cumbed to an attack of bronchitis, and was advised for a time 



i All letters not otherwise designated are addressed to his wife. 



