Murfreesboro Tenn    

Feby 21^st 1862

 

My Dear Mother

                                    We are now encamped here having made as I consider it a precipitate retreat from Bowling Green Ky. Gen^l Crittenden is here also with his Division. We have here now about 25000 effective men but I fear they are sadly demoralized. Where we will go to no one seems to know. At Bowling Green Clarksville & Nashville we lost the largest part of our Army stores, & where we will get meat & bread from this summer & fall the Lord only knows. ½ of the baggage belonging to our regiment was burnt at Bowling Green and one or two hundred guns. All of my bed clothes except a pair of blankets & two pair of boots were destroyed for me. Confederate Bonds are worth very little here, and the country people have a great deal on hand. The Stars & Stripes now float over the Capitol of Tennessee and the Tennessee troops are justly indignant that not a single blow has been struck in defense of their native state. they will await patiently the termination of this more, but they say when their Mothers wives & sisters & homes have been surrendered to the Federals they have / nothing near or dear to fight for.

 

So heavy responsibility rests on some one & time will show on whom. If Genl Johnston had called on the citizens he could have raised 15000 men to assist us in defense of Nashville, but I hope he knows what is best.

 

I came from Bowling Green to Nashville by rail road with Aunt Rosa. Aunt Rosa went up to Uncle Stokelys & remained 2 days. Uncle Stokely & Billy were both well, Carrie was at Murfreesboro. Uncle Billy says we will be whipped certain & that if we continue to resist we need not think of peace until the clock of Eternity strikes 12 at night. Uncle Stokely says there is no use in making further trouble about it and that we had all better go home. We are now encamped 3 miles from Cousin Laura Wade's. I staid there last night and they all seemed to be very glad to see. Cousin Laura & her 3 children & Carrie are all looking very well. I truly feel very sad at the idea of giving up this country without a single blow & feel as though I was giving up my home. I suppose you have heard that we lost 2000 killed & 8000 prisoners at Fort Donelson /

 

It is said to have been the flower of the Army & that they fought with the bravery becoming a Southernor, although so large a number surrendered not a word can be said against them.

 

What does Pa say now?

 

Dont he think we will rally & again take possession of this country.

 

I feel very low spirited again & almost feel as though we were whipped.

 

But I know it is very unmanly to become discouraged at the first defeat, and I am determined to resist to the last extremity. I had a letter from Brother John last week, he was very well, said there were only 12 000 at Columbus. I expect to hear every day that Memphis is taken.

 

I will write on every occasion but the mails are so very irregular that I doubt whether you will get many letters. Mr S Oliver is going to Memphis this evening & will take this. Write to me often & above all things do not be uneasy about me for I am surrounded by warm & sincere friends I am very well at present also Uncle John. Joe has the measles but is recovering. to Day is a real april day & is delightful.

 

Give my love to Pa & all the children & believe me as Ever

                                                                                               

Your affectionate Son

D S Donelson

 

P.S. Excuse bad writing for I am writing on a book.

SOURCES