Head Quarters 25^th Miss Regt

Bowling Green Ky     

Jan'y 22^d 1862

 

My Dear Mother,

                                    I rec'd your letter dated the 12^th & 14^th to day enclosed in a note from Uncle Jack. From your portion dated the 12^th I was glad to hear that you were all so happy in the new home & that there was a prospect of your being able to leave the house near Memphis with few bitter tears. I think it is the greatest country in the world. Corn, cotton, hogs & stock in abundance almost all the vegetables known to the world, fish & game in abundance As to health the most essential of all things I venture to say you never saw more healthy looking women & children in your life than you will see there, & the men would be equally as healthy if they would not drink so much whiskey. Nearly as soon as I arrived here from Memphis, I was taken sick with remittent fever / & the surgeon gave me a certificate which enabled me to visit our relations near Nashville. I was at Aunt Mary Ann's twice, staid with them one night. Mary Cahal De. & Emily Gentry were all sick with very severe sorethroat. They are all three very fine looking Dr Hoggat was sick as usual with dyspepsia, Aunt Mary Ann is looking as fat & hearty as ever, Uncle Robert Caruthers was there sick with typhoid fever, Aunt Sallie is there as full of life as ever. Tell Pa Uncle Robert thinks the war will end this summer. They are all living there in princely style. Uncle Billy & Stokely are both very well, Uncle Stokely is there by himself Carrie at Murfreesboro with Cousin Laura Uncle Billy is in very low spirits about the war says he sees no possible end for it.

 

They have made more this year off of their grain & stock than they usually do from cotton besides they have the usual amount on hand. I intended to stop at Uncle Dan'ls as I came back but I learned that our Reg't was ordered down to the Tennessee River so that I came straight through to Bowling Green. Some ten or 15 Regt have gone there but ours is / not one of them. I think we will certainly have some fighting soon as the enemy is gradually closing in upon us. You need not fear however as to the result. My coat fits very well & looks splendidly, though I am afraid the cloth is not much account.

 

When I returned I found a commission here for me as 1^st Lieut & Adjt. I am not able to find out how the promotion came to be made, no application that I know of having been sent to the War Department. Bowling Green is as muddy now as the Bottom & although I would rather be in a large battle than a small one, I much prefer living in a smaller Division.

 

We are all tired of the Winter Campaign & earnestly wish for spring.

 

I suppose you have heard all about the rumors concerning Forts Henry & Donelson There is no news of interest. You will be surprised to hear that Cousin Martha Burton has married Genl Anderson (not the Brigadier but the State Senator), Aunt Lethy Allison's family are all well one of her sons is under Zollicoffer / & the other in Virginia.

 

Uncle John is very well. He may be a Brigadier before long if his friends try to make him one.

 

I am now as well as usual. I have written to Dr Currey to send Joe up to me.

 

            Give my love to Pa & all the children                                   

 

Your affectionate Son

D S Donelson

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