Camp near Holly Springs

Oct 27^th 1862 

 

Aunt Rosa.

                        Nearly a month has now rolled away and still I find myself without any definite expectation or fixed purpose. This Brigade will be commanded by Genl. Hebert and he has his Staff already appointed. Some of them are already ordered here for duty and of course Col Witherspoons staff will be relieved. Col W. still thinks however that he will command the brigade as the Genl won a very poor reputation at Corinth and no General or brigade wants him. I expect to be relieved some time between this and the 12^th of next month at which time Genl Heberts furlough ends & then I hope either to be placed on Post duty of some sort. If this is not done I will be granted leave of absence until they have some use for me.

 

            All I can do is to remain quiet. It is my opinion, that this army will fall back to Vicksburg Jackson & Meridian making our lines so low as to give up all north Miss at [torn away] and probably the whole station [torn] at Corinth is [torn] there [torn] Bragg has [torn] he can he [torn] / before next spring have to divide out into small forces and carry on the partizan warfare.

 

I may be too desponding but such seems the future to me

 

I think Col Whites is the best place I know of, in case our forces retire towards Jackson, as I can see no reason why the federals should visit you so far from a R.R. or town.

 

            I enclose a letter from Col Crocket He has been sent to Mobile where an attack is anticipated. It is rumored that they were fighting there yesterday

Col Crocket wishes Alphonsus to come to him. I know the Col would do a great deal for him, everything in his power yet I cannot order him to go

 

I hope Alphonsus will remain footloose for at least two weeks yet which he can do by remaining here.

 

            Tell Ma to stay where she is as long as possible.

                                                           

My love to all

As Ever

D S Donelson

 

Mrs Rosa A. Martin.

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