Jan 11 1863

Camp Near Murfresborough Tenn         

                 

Dear Miss it is with pleasure that I have an opportunity of writing to you it has been some time since I wrote to you but could not send if I had wrote for the railroad was tore up but at present the river is up so that the boats can run up to Nashville I have not heard from you for some time but for all that I know that I shall some time my health is good and hope that this may find you well and hope that you enjoyed the good times of christmas & newyears days I took my new year at Nashville but the army took theirs on the battle field near the town of murfresborough there was a hard / fight on that day one long to be rememberd by many who got legs and arms shot off many a poor fellow lay on the battle field for the last time som of them froze to death they were not aloud to have fire on the field but a man that was not wounded could get along very well there was 23 kild in our regt 34 wounded and some missing B H Ross was wounded in the shoulder and was taken by the rebels and was well taken care of he is geting along well Jack Packer wounded there was 3 kild in our Company and 9 wounded 15 left yet we have a large company our recruits have not com on yet but we look for them every day it is hard to tell how many we lost or of the other side but one thing I do know that it was a hard fought battle and that the 20 Brigad has the prefferenc and Devision also / it is believed that the 20 Brigade saved the day when the 2 right Devisions gave a way our Brigad was orderd to their help which was done bravely our Brigad was almost surrennded at one time and firing on them from all sides but for all that they did not moove and not untill they was orderd the third time you will probably see the peticulars in some paper mor correctly than I can give you we had a good many wagons burned by the rebs there was a great deal of excitement at all points but it is all over now and I wish that would stay so for I am tired of the fus now but one thing most of all I should like see that sweet girl of mine that I left at her home it would give me great pleasure to have the opportunities that in years gone by but now I shall have to be contented with my lot but my desires are to see you / again and to embrace that sweet girl I left at home I have her likeness yet that is as good as the origonal I still remain the same as ever to you and remain your Lover and intended yours truly from your best friend give my respects to your folks and my love to yourself write soon and often yours truly from your friend

 F          Ashley

 

when this you                          

see remember me

enclosed you will

find a ring which

was mad by one of

our boys that was

shot on the battle field

the last token of remembrance

his name is James Curalt

I want you to keep it till

I return to you

SOURCES