Enterprise Miss.                     

Nov 12^th 1863          

  

My Dear Father,

                                    Your letter of Septr 24^th was received yesterday.

 

            I presume you will have heard before this reaches you, that Brother John was killed on the 19^th of Septr in the Battle of "Chickamauga". I immediately visited his command & obtained his sword sash, watch & valise, all of which I left at Newnan, Ga. in care of Dr G W Currey.

 

Brother John had acted very gallantly throughout the day and was killed while the Brigade was advancing after night dark. He was acting at the time as Adjt Genl of the Brigade. Genl Smith & Captain King were / also killed about the same time. He was very highly esteemed by his command, and he had won the reputation of a brave & gallant officer.

 

            I have forwarded a statement to the War Dept of my "Military history" for decision whether I am legally a commissioned officer. In case he decides I am not I hope I will have very little difficulty in obtaining another appointment.

 

Whatever may be the decision of the Sec'ty of War I will visit the plantation between this & christmas, probably between the 1^st & 10^th of Dec.

 

            When I left Braggs Army Oct 4^th all were confident of their ability to drive the enemy from chattanooga. It is now reported that Bragg has left his position on Mission Ridge 2 miles from Chattanooga and is again falling back / In my opinion the enemy will winter in Chattanooga & Bragg somewhere in north Georgia probably near Ringgold. Next spring when active operations commence, the crisis will be at hand, and a signal defeat will be fatal to either party. Operations here in Miss will I think be confined to little more than making & resisting raids. Every article of prime necessity is becoming alarmingly scarce. Bacon in Atlanta is worth ($3.) three dollars a pound. Negro shoes forty dollars a pair & other things in proportion. I hope you will be able to reach next summer undisturbed and by that time it is to be hoped there will be some light.

 

I hope you will expose yourself to fatigue of any description as little / as possible. Property in the present condition of the country is worth very little. Taxes are enormously high and will still have to be increased. Farmers, particularly in the bottom, are ruined.

 

            There is no news here from any source, and I think the several armies will remain as at present throughout the winter.

 

            I have not heard from home since I left.

 

            My love to Ma & children & believe me                  

 

Yr Afft Son

D S Donelson

 

a letter will reach me directed to B. H. Sheppard Okolona or Mr M^cLean Grenada.

 

P.S. Seeing a notice in the papers that communication with the rest had been opened, I wrote to sisters Mary & Rachel on the 10^th of October & directed them to send their letters to Cousin Harper Sheppard at Okolona and he would forward them. D.

SOURCES