Camp Trousdale July 8. 1861

 

Dear sister & Brother

                                                I this beautiful morning take my pencil in hand to drop you a few lines. we are getting along very well. all of our measles cases are up & walking about except James M^cferin & Richard Commons they are both broke out thick. we have no other sick men in our company but measles. thare several cases of fever in the camp, a week ago I thought or rather feared we would have Cholera in our camps. Capt Mckiney come very near dying with something like it. we have had nothing like it since. we thought a week ago that we might have a fight shortly but it is uncertain now what we will do or where we will go, probably / we will stay here for several months. we are furlowen all of our sick home for ten days. Capt. Mckiney & 6 or 7 left yesterday. to day thare about ten agoing home. I am glad they are going, for I am tired of sick boys. I would be willing to stay by myself just to get them off. after while when they all get back I will then if we stay here, I will try to come home.

 

Cul I would like to see all of the children & all of the folks & friends every where in my old neighborhood. I want you to give my love to all of them & tell them to write for they have no idea the anxiety I have to get letters from my old country. they have a great deal better chance to write than I have. give my love Billy More & all of the family & every other family I cant name all of them. tell Tom Phagan & Isac Moore & Harrison & John Moore / & Wm. G. Moore to come & help us out with our fight. we will conker or fall in the attempt. Come boys, leave father, Mother, Brother & Sister & cling to your countrys rights. if you dont, we might fall, if you do this, come and join & we be determined we can conquer, conquer, who can conquer, Tennessee Boys. they may cripple us but they can never whip us, no never never. You must write soon & tell all of them write. I feall a little lonesom to see the boys all fixen to start, but I look for them back soon, so no more at present but remain yours &c absent Brother

                                                                                   

L. J. E. Bearden

 

To Cull G. B. Parkinson

SOURCES