Okolona Sept 24^th/63

 

My Dear Mother,

                                    After a fatiguing trip of four days, being arrested and imprisoned as a deserter and every possible indignity being heaped on me, I have at length arrived here, and obtained personal liberty. on my arrival at Tippah River 70 miles from Memphis I was arrested and carried to Brig Genl Ferguson's H^d Qrs at New Albany on the charge of being absent without leave. Genl Ferguson ordered me to be sent under guard to the Conscript Officer at Okolona. His reason for this was that I had no command and was liable to conscription / and, what if I was an officer I was absent without leave and on that ground would be sent to the camp of paroled prisoners under guard. The box of goods was confiscated also by his order On my arrival here the Conscript officer decided that I was legally a Lieutenant and had the good sense to see that my object was to perform my duty properly. He has also extended my furlough for thirty days If I can obtain the release of the box I will go at once to Braggs Army as a terrible battle has just been fought, and I fear brother John & Uncle James are both in it.

 

Knowing my feelings when / I left Memphis you can appreciate my feelings while in "durance vile".

 

As I now look upon the matter I consider it merely as a display of tyrany on the part of Genl Ferguson. on my arrival at Dep't H^dQrs I will make a statement of the case to Lt Genl Hardee Comdg and if he sustains Genl "F's" action I will consider it as adding "insult to injury" and act accordingly. I hope you will give yourself no uneasiness about me, for I shall do nothing by which there will be any danger of my being hurt. A new spirit seems to have taken hold of the people here and all seem confident of success. It is now reported / that after two days hard fighting Bragg has driven Rosecrans across the river and holds the "Field". Our loss is estimated at 5000, the enemy at 25 000 I am fearful of the result however as the fight is not yet ended.

 

If Bragg can not succeed in driving the enemy back to Nashville I cannot see that any good has been accomplished.

 

I do not think I will be able to resign at present as the law now is very stringent I regret very much that I did not stay a month longer I might then have been able to stand the fatigue of the trip much better but "alls well that ends well" and I feel that no harm can come so long as I perform my duty as dictated by my own conscience.

 

[overwritten]

 

Cousin Phereby and family are all well I hope you will be able to learn from this letter and the one to Aunt Rosa all the news I have.

 

Give my love to Pa Aunt Kate and all at home and believe me

                                                                                               

Yr afft Son

D S Donelson

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