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to Mary

He is glad his family knows nothing of the hardships he has seen amongst the Rebel army in Kentucky. Meanwhile, he waits for the Paymaster.

GLC02415.043

to Mary

He reminds her that there are thousands of women who no longer have a husband to write to. A lot is riding on the current battle they are in. If the Rebels lose it, they will all be taken prisoner. Right now there are 1100 prisoners from Bragg's army...

GLC02415.048

to Mary

He warns her about keeping warm because warm clothes are cheaper than doctors' bills. Also he says if she wants to live in Saranac this winter she ought to consider the costs of such an endeavour.

GLC02415.049

to Mary

It iis difficult to see what he is referring to exactly, but he says a Fletcher has not made a payment. But when he does, to add interest. Barton is in a bragging move.

GLC02415.052

to Mary

She acquired a five year old cow as a result of trading. If the cow yields a hundred punds of beef then the trade was a good one. He tells her to let the farm to Mr. Graw. His advice is not to let them know she has money or she will have to pay a tax...

GLC02415.053

to Mary

He talks about the importancce of Chattanugh and how they need to keep the Rebels contained. They do not want them to get into Eastern Tennessee so they will try to cut off their supplies.

GLC02415.054

to Mary

He is working in the dining room again. She told him a Mr. Holland wants to build a wood house on the end of their house and he discusses the cost of such a project. He wants Mr. Holland to write to him.

GLC02415.058

to Mary

There are many deserting the rebel ranks. There are reports that these deserters may join the Union but he does not see much truth in these reports. One of the shirts she made him has shrunk terribly.

GLC02415.064

to Mary

He refers to the spirit of the war and says it has grown into an animal... He got 2 months pay recently and he will send her fifty dollars.

GLC02415.066

to Mary

There is sickness and death lately, mostly among the new recruits. He asks her to tell him the price of produce, so that he can allocate funds appropriately. He warns her that he has become a hard drinker and that is why he has gained weight.

GLC02415.074

to Mary

He is anxious for the time to come, when the Rebel capital will fall. It will not be easy becasue there will be many widows and fatherless children.He thinks the Rebels made their own bed and now they must lie in it.

GLC02415.080

to Mary

He responds to the news that Mr. Benson has taken to drinking. He asks how his father and Jerome are doing. He thinks the army was never better than now and they will whip the Rebels. Written in camp opposite Chattanooga

GLC02415.085

to Mary

He says as soldiers they expected to endure hardships and he will face them without fear. To be a coward is worse than anything so he tells her not to worry so much because he is ready for whatever may come his way. Written at camp on Lookout...

GLC02415.101

to Mary

Never has the end of the war looked so promising as it does now. Even if they draft more soldiers, they will be sent home soon if the war ends. David English came by and is doing well. Written at camp on Lookout Mountain

GLC02415.103

to Mary

On Sept. 27th, they started for Chattanooga. From there they went to Tullahoma. They are now in Stephenson and he does not know how long they will be there. He was sorry to hear the children are not well.

GLC02415.109

to Mary

They are under marching orders but he does not know where they will go next. He mentions Hood and Sherman. Election day is discussed. He refers to the Old Rail Splitter (Abraham Lincoln) and wonders if he can end the war soon.

GLC02415.113

to Mary

He describes the battle of the eight. 5 or 6 men were wounded, one of which ended up dying.. He was detailed to take care of the wounded and in the hospital he was appointed ward master

GLC02415.006

to Mary

He arrived in Nashville on the 5th and the next day joined a regiment about six miles from there. Their company has been reduced to half its former size. Alot of soldiers are sick but not in body, in mind, he writes. Everyone is tired of the war. He...

GLC02415.009

to Mary

He has a cold but otherwise is fine. They started toward Memphis. A lot of rain has been falling and turning into mud. On Monday fighting commenced. They camped near a corn field and the next morning after breakfast started fighting again. He goes on...

GLC02415.012

to Mary

They are having an easy time of it lately but he does not know how long it will last. They are getting plenty to eat and he may get a raise. He had to make out a muster roll for the captain the other day.

GLC02415.013

to Mary

He has not been as well as he was before the battle. He notes that she found the house in poor condition. If she lets it, he wants her to get a good down payment for it.

GLC02415.014

to Mary

He talks about the business of selling or keeping the farm. The buyer wants it on account of the house which they may or may not keep. He talks about the possibility of crops.

GLC02415.021

to Mary

He is glad the only time he has gotten sick was when he had jaundice last winter. He describes a chase between the Rebels and some of the men in the company. There 8 of them and 20 Rebels. They were cornered at one point and decided to take them on...

GLC02415.028

to Mary

He is getting news about Vicksburgh and he hopes the victory there won't be confined to Vicksburgh. David English has left Murfreesboro and was sent to a hospital in Detroit. He is getting better.

GLC02415.029

to Mary

He refers to slavery as one of the most degrading institutions ever and says the Rebels should soon see the error of their evil ways. They have broken up camp. Everyone is being sent elsewhere and they expect to join the others soon.

GLC02415.030

to Mary

He explains why he has not written lately. Picket duty has started. Once again he alludes to the day the last Southern flag will be hailed in the dust.

GLC02415.032

to Mary

The doctor doesn't have a very high success rate in treating his disease. He thinks if things keep going the way they are, the war will end soon with the Union coming out on top.

GLC02415.035

to Mary

2 of their friends recently died. He talks about restoring the nation.

GLC02415.036

to Mary

He tells her to be thankful for the care he is receiving. Hopefully he can come home soon. He is waiting on six months pay. His father had some business luck recently, so he wants to give him some money.

GLC02415.037

to Mary

He is getting better and a discharge does not seem far away. He mentions the numerous deserters.

GLC02415.042

to Mary

He says there are those who have gotten out of touch because they are fighting on opposite sides and in some cases have not heard from their friends in 8 or 10 months.

GLC02415.046

to Mary

He is glad their daughter Nellie is attending school for he says all they have to give them is an education and it is better than gold or silver. He goes on to brag that he is used to hard living now and has gotten by on nothing but hard bread for...

GLC02415.051

to Mary

He changed jobs from working in the dining room to giving medicine. The size of the company has diminished greatly in the past year. He asks how her provisions are.

GLC02415.056

to Mary

He is now in Chattanooga, after having spent some time at the Convalescent Camp. He has now rejoined his regiment.

GLC02415.061

to Mary

They are near Lookout Mountain, in the heart of the enemy's country. He describes the country they passed through on the way from Lousiville to Chattanooga which he says is unlike anything she's ever seen before.

GLC02415.062

to Mary

He is sending her a book he thinks she will enjoy.

GLC02415.072

to Mary

Benjamin Vasper will bring the book and money to her. He thinks back to 1862 when the Cumberland army left Louisville and who has died.

GLC02415.073

to Mary

He describes a funeral he attended of a new recruit who died of a heart disease. He will send her more money soon.

GLC02415.075

to Mary

He will not be able to get a furlough because all the men were wanted in the field. There has been some bad fighting and the Rebels have captured a cavalry unit. There is heavy cannoning at the foot of Racoon Mountain.

GLC02415.076

to Mary

Their regiment has not had a chaplain for some time They are thinking of starting a bible class and he is all for it.

GLC02415.082

to Mary

He promises to get his picture taken soon. Since he joined the army he has lost 2 back teeth eating hard tack. He says he has become a very rough looking fellow. Written in camp opposite Chattanooga

GLC02415.083

to Mary

He tells her to some of the money he gave her to uncle, whom he is still in debt to. He has been prospecting. The regiment is divided into small groups in Tennessee and Georgia. He describes his travels which included mountain climbing. Written in...

GLC02415.084

A View on the Hillside

Dedicated to his wife. A description of his surroundings.

GLC02415.086

to Mary

He tell her to take good care of herself and the children. Lately the rations are very good. They have all the food they need. It has been very rainy. Written in camp opposite Chattanooga

GLC02415.087

to Mary

Mr Rollin has been working on their place but he says not to pay him right away. The man is hard to get along with and he may take advantage of women. He talks about the diameter of a cannon ball. Written in camp opposite Chattanooga

GLC02415.088

to Mary

They didn't actually go to Georgia, but they are close enough, on Lookout Mountain. He describes the peaks and vallies along with the incredible views. He mentions Abraham Lincoln and hopes he can end the war soon. Written at camp on Lookout Mountain

GLC02415.090

to Mary

He went down to Georgia to sign the pay rolls recently and draw 2 months pay. He is very positive of the Union's success. Soon the army will have 500,000 men. Written at camp on Lookout Mountain

GLC02415.097

to Mary

He is getting tired of having to write as it is a poor substitute for communication. He prides himself on how well he budgets. If the other boys thought of their families as much as he does they'd have more money. Written at camp on Lookout Mountain

GLC02415.098

to Mary

He discusses money matters and how she can run the farm more efficiently. When he comes home, he expects to farm again.Written at camp on Lookout Mountain

GLC02415.102

to Mary

They should leave camp tomorrow morning and join the picket lines but they don't know how long they will remain there. He has two months pay and will send her money soon. Written at camp on Lookout Mountain

GLC02415.106