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The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/No-Donkey-4117 on 2025-01-12 00:11:48+00:00.

Dearest Mother,

The weeks have flown by since I returned to my beloved Cardinal Battalion, and please accept my sincerest apologies for not taking up my quill to put ink to parchment sooner. Whilst my old war wounds from the Indiana campaign preclude my return to the field of battle, I have been entrusted with headquarters duties of substantial consequence here, endeavouring to rebuild the fighting spirit and battle-readiness of the officers and men.

Morale was low following our mostly unsuccessful campaign of late along the Atlantic Coast, and a few of the officers and men have requested transfers to other posts. Capt. Daniels fought bravely for us, but will now join the War Eagle battalion in Alabama, and Cpl. Baklenko is on his way to the Oklahoma Territory, where he will surely bolster their prowess along the lines of battle. Some older officers and leaders have completed their tours of duty and will move on to higher callings, such as Lt. Sinclair, Lt. Ayomanor, and Sgt. Bernadel. My first priority has been to try to replace fine soldiers such as these with battle-hardened veterans and promising recruits from other units, whilst maintaining the highest standards of training and comportment, as President Levin and General Muir insist.

We have had some small successes in that regard, bringing in Pvt. Prongos from the Los Angeles Bruin battalion and Pvt. Greer from the Atlanta Yellow Jackets to strengthen our infantry, and fine horsemen such as Lt. Pantelis from the New Haven (Conn.) Bulldogs, Cpl. Williams from the Wisconsin Badgers, Pvt. Doyle from the Memphis Tigers, Pvt. Onovughe from the Colordao Buffaloes, and Sgt. High from the Orangeburg (So. Car.) Bulldogs to keep our cavalry among the best in the field. We have also brought in veteran scouts such as Cpl. Neal of the Fresno Bulldogs and Sgt. Washington of the Dartmouth (N.H.) Big Green to better alert us to enemy movements, particularly the artillery bombardments which took such a heavy toll this past campaign.

I maintain my highest confidence in Maj. Taylor’s leadership despite our many recent losses, as his surprise victories in the Battle of Syracuse and in repelling the Louisville Cardinals from their attempted incursion here attest to his tactical bona fides. He appears ready to promote Lt. Elijah Brown to command of the entire company for our next campaign, and the officers and men have the highest confidence in Lt. Brown’s abilities. Cpl. Williams and Pvt. Onovughe have fought alongside Lt. Brown before, and won many battles together.

I hope the wintry blasts of January find you well provisioned with corn and firewood despite my absence, and remain your faithful son and obedient servant,

Col. Andrew Luck, Cardinal Battalion