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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 will get better but he may never be fit for active duty again. It is hard to get discharged on account of a lame back though, because a lot of people try to fake it.

GLC02415.038

to Mary

He describes his diet since she asked in a previous letter. He owes money to a Wesley.

GLC02415.039

to Mrs. Kellog

A letter informing her of Wesley Kellog's death. He provides a detailed account of how how he was shot and killed.

GLC02415.040

to Mary

A very patriotic letter about why it is important to make sacrifices for the nation. Fighting for your country will benefit posterity.

GLC02415.041

to Mary

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

GLC02415.042

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 talks about Bragg and Gen. Rosecrans. He says Bragg is a coward and a traitor and is afraid of Rosecrans. Then he goes on to speculate whether Father ought to save his wheat for the Spring market or Fall.

GLC02415.044

to Mary

He still doesn't know where they will send him, either to the regiment or the Convalescent Camp, but ultimately feels he will go back with his regiment. He hopes it is true that H. Pratt was discharged.

GLC02415.045

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 has been detailed in the hospital dining room. He has to set the table and do the dishes. He apologizes for not having sent her money yet, but he should be able to do so this week.

GLC02415.047

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

He asks her to let him know right away if she does not receive the money he sent. She mentioned that a Mr. Shear has written to him but he has not received any of the letters.

GLC02415.050

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

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

Money goes very fast these days he says. Even after receiving two months pay some of the boys have no money left. But he is very careful about how he spends his money. Other soldiers waste their money on drinking and gambling.

GLC02415.055

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 wants to know how living in Mr. Sterans house is for her. Apparently their corn crop did not do well this year. He asks what Mr. Graw wants to do with their farm.

GLC02415.057

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

He received a letter from his father who is well. His father told him that William H. Pratt is in the hospital. James assures Mary that he is safer now than if he had stayed in the brigade.

GLC02415.059

to Mary

He has no wish to rejoin his regiment and march around in the cold. He would like to have a taste of her mince pies. He says to tell Mr. Roland he can work on the improved land.

GLC02415.060

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 writes again how education is so important for their children. If she does not have money for the taxes, he insists she let him know and he will send her some money.Their pay is late.

GLC02415.063

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 saw the boys from Boston the other day and it made him nostalgic. He will send some more money.

GLC02415.065

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

He talks about the music they practice playing in camp to keep busy during down times. Some of the boys play cards, while he prefers to read.

GLC02415.067

to Mary

He saw his old friend General Wood and they had a grand time. He has been practicing on the bugle lately. He has to learn 25 different calls.

GLC02415.068

to Mary

He has never been healthier. There is some talk of going to Cincinnati but he thinks they will most likely go to Georgia or Alabama.

GLC02415.069

to Mary

He responds to the news from his wife. She has said William and Jane Nickerson might move back to Calhoun. Mary has not decided if she will go to Dester this summer.

GLC02415.070

to Mary

He would like William to work the farm so that he could live there with Mary and the children and then she wouldn't have to worry about the milling.

GLC02415.071

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

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 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

He talks about the current prices of different articles of clothing. He says he is getting lazy and doesn't know how long he will remain in Chattanooga. He still owes his uncle money.

GLC02415.077

to Mary

He predicts that Virginia will see a bloody time. The Rebels think they can get Chattanooga again, but he doesn't think so. He describes the landscape surrounding the camp.

GLC02415.078

to Mary

He talks about the inevitability of death and the many vices of the army. It takes a very stable mind to reject all the vices of the army. He mentions a friend who wants to enlist because his wife died, but he thinks it would be better if he stayed...

GLC02415.079

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 talks of money matters. Still he owes his uncle money. He goes over his monthly expenses.

GLC02415.081

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