Tullahoma, Tennessee – April 26, 1863

Tullahoma Tenn April 26. ’63.

My Dear Wife

You must let me off this time again with a short letter.  I have no news of importance, than share my continued good health + Spirits.  Our brigade or a part of it rather is still at this place.  we are not yet fully organized + equiped.  The 19 La. Regt was put into Addams brigade1 + has gone to the front.  The ballance of us are here at work on the fortifications but expecting to move at any moment. The news to night from the front is that our troops are in 5 miles of Murfreesboro, + the whole line advancing.  It is thought now that we will make the fight ourselves Rosecrans seems to be falling back towards Nashville.  I have no idea what division our brigade will be attached to, or where our position will be.  My Battalion has been armed with rifles + will act as skirmishers + Sharpshooters.  They hunt up the enemy in front + bring on the action + then fall back to the main body.

There is a heavy summers work before us.  What the Generals plans are I know not.  There a thousand camp rumors that I dont think worth while to repeat.

I am very low spirited about the war I see no prospect what ever of peace.  It may come however when we least expect it.  There is a heavy summers work before us.  What the Generals plans are I know not.  There a thousand camp rumors that I dont think worth while to repeat.  The army has perfect confidence in Genl Johnston + will follow where ever he leads.2  on the furlough question I am completely at fault.  I dont allow my self to think about such a thing now.  There is no telling how soon things may change + I shall try to get on the very first chance.  I have no news from Joe or Enoch.  the late news from Eutaw, Isaiah was at home on a furlough about the 1st of April.  We have fine water to drink here.  + plenty to eat.  I have old Jo with me, he is getting tired of the war, says if he was Genl he would fight it out at once + go home.  “Excuse brevity” as Joe says as I am badly fixed for writing.  I will write again soon + keep you posted as well (Inverted at top of page) as I can.  When we get regularly on the march the chances to write will be few + you must not be uneasy if you should not get letters regularly + often.  Take good care of your dear self + brats + do the best you can

(Inverted at top of previous page) I never see a La paper + have no idea what you are all doing over there.  I neglected to get a transfer when I could have done it + now I cant do it.  I am still hopeful though that we will meet soon.  Love to all, your own Alex.

 The Letter:

Click on images to enlarge.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *