Chattanooga Nov. 24^th 1864

 

Lieut Col Smith

           

My dear Friend

I arrived here all safe and found nothing but rain and mud, Business of all kinds up side down as things have not settled down yet since the change. I told you I would let you know of any openings. There is one here that I would like to take hold of with you and a wounded officer and soldiers have the preference I think with some exertion on your part it can be obtained as Gen^l Steadman can help you if any one. It is / worth trying for and the sooner you put in your application to Mr Fuller the Treasury Agt at Nashville the better and work the wires with Gen^l Steadman to back you afterwards. The Central House here is what I refer to its little better than a hole now and $75,000 can be made there in the next year if it is managed right apply for it I think they intend to make a change there. I have from 1 to 2 thousand dollars at my command and understand something about how a Hotel ought to be managed. The Crutchfield House paid Mrs Bishop last month twenty thousand dollars clear a good months work I call that. But the / troops were passing through here then can not do that well all the time. Cant write more at present but wanted to get this thing started hurry up before some one gets ahead of you

                                                                                               

Yours as every

C. H. Bonsall

Box 132

Chattanooga.

SOURCES