H^d Qrs 2^nd Confederate Regt

Camp near Fayetteville Tenn                        

March 7^th 1862        

   

My Dear Father

                                    We have halted here to day to rest & allow the troops in front to move out of our way, they having been stopped by the bad roads in this mountainous country.

 

We left Murfreesboro last friday.

 

Aunt Margaret D. was there with her whole family on her way to Georgia. She had left her plantation & negroes under the charge of an overseer. The Yankees have been through the old neighborhood, but have as yet committed no outrages.

 

Foote of Ohio is said to be the Military Governor of the State & that preparations are being made by them to collect the war tax for this year & last year. I have a great deal of sympathy for the people of Tennessee but I hope that all of those who remained quietly at home & would not rally in the hour of trial & apparent defeat will feel with full effect the wile of a triumphant enemy. We are now on our way to Decatur where I suppose we will be stationed if not there in the neighborhood of Tuscumbia Ala It will take us about one week to march there over the bad roads All the troops are in good spirits but they can not see why Nashville was surrendered & so much ground evacuated. They all wanted to stand at Nashville. I have not heard a word from you for three weeks Uncle John is very well & the health of the whole Regt is improving

 

Joe has recovered from the measles. Although we were marching all the time I wrote you a letter from Nashville in which I mentioned our loss by the late movements. We have abandoned Government stores at nearly every depot we have passed.

 

            Give my love to Ma & all at home & believe me as Ever

                                                                       

Your Afft Son

D S Donelson

 

A J Donelson

Australia Ldg

Bolivar County

Miss

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