Camp near Knoxville Tenn Feb 23^d 1864.

 

Sister Mary

 

Since I last wrote I have received Mothers letter of Feb 1^st and one still older a lot of papers also the paper and envelopes thread that you sent. I see by your letter that there is one more I have not got but I presume it will come along by and by. I received four postage stamps in my last. My last letter was written when we were at Erins Station. We are now camped within a mile and a half or two miles of Knoxville. We moved up here because it was feared that Longstreet was going to make another attack on Knoxville. The rebels made their appearance on the east side of the river in considerable force down toward Sevierville. But General Schofield went out after them and at last account they were reported as falling back. /

 

We are camped west of the town there are no rebels this side of the river except scouting parties. Yesterday was Washington's birthday. We celebrated it by working on the fortifications at Knoxville. Part of our regiment and the 79^th N.Y. were detailed to work on one of the forts. The authorities are pressing forward the work on the fortifications as fast as possible so as to be ready for the rebels if they want to try their hand at taking Knoxville again. They will find the city much better prepared for defence than when they tried it before. I have spoken in my letters of the story that we are going out of this department. The story is still in circulation and I suppose we shall go soon unless something turns up to prevent. I am glad to hear that father is still getting along well. Give my love to him and tell him that if he needs any of the money I left at home I shall be glad to have him take it. Mother writes that some friends at home are trying to get state aid. I hope you will be able to get it. I see that you and mother are considerably troubled about our rations and /

                                                                   

FEB/23/64

clothing. We have got a good supply of clothing now and our rations are improving every day as our supplies come by way of Chattanooga now. I have got along very well so far my health is good and we have a prospect of better times ahead. Last sunday I attended divine service at the quarters of the 79^th N.Y. Their own chaplain and a minister lately from the north preached to them. The services were very interesting. The chaplain of the 79^th is just one of the best men for the place that I know of. He is earnest and faithful. He denounces vice alike in officers and men. He told the men last sunday that they must not they must not consider a vice less degrading because it was practiced by those placed over them.

 

I have lately received letters from George and Elisha Emerson. Elisha still thinks he would like to enlist if his folks were willing. George would be willing to try it again for a year or so but does not care about getting hitched for three. The weather is very comfortable here now. The ground freezes some nights but the days are pleasant. The farmers have ploughed very little as yet but they are getting ready for spring work. John Warner as I believe I wrote you has started for home and you will probably see him at Harvard in a few days. Ephraim Houghton has also gone home on a furlough. I did not have a chance to see him before he started. I believe I have written all the news so with much love to you all I will close.

 

From your brother

E. W. Stacy.

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