Waterford Mississippi Nov. 5^th 1862

 

S. A. Hull

            My Dear Friend: I received your very kind letter day before yesterday and was glad to learn that you had not forgotten me—notwithstanding, there has been so long a silence. I was also glad to hear that you and family were all well at your letter's date. Your letter found me enjoying the best of health, with the exception of a very sore arm, caused by a Yankee's ball from a musket. I have been through two fights in the last month and a half. We wiped them out The first was at Iuka Miss. the last was at Corinth Miss. We whiped them at the former, but they whiped us very bad at the latter. We had to attack them both times in their breastworks. We attacked them at Corinth Oct the 3^rd and fought until the 5^th dark. We drove them Friday and Saturday until near 12 o'clock M, when we charged their fortifications inside of town, when and even / drove them out, but they reinforced so heavy that we had to fall back. We retreated eight miles that night, and camped for the night. I was wounded in the last charge we made on them behind them banks of dirt of theirs. The ball struck me on the left elbow arm just above the elbow—it passed through the muscle of my arm smartly fracturing the bone. I got several pieces of the bone out of the wound. I just tell you Mrs. Hull don't like to take Yankee pills in no such a way. My arm is getting well very fast. Well I told that we camped 8 miles from Corinth on Saturday, and on Sunday morning we started to get a little farther down in Dixie, but during the night they sent a very heavy force around in our advance to a bridge on Hatchey River, well there we were in a pretty condition surrounded by an Army as large as two of ours. On Sunday morning the ball opened fight or surrender—of course our boys fought. We sus- / tained a greater loss on Sunday than we did on both the days previous. Our boys got out of the Yank's trap and skeedaddled in the right way. I have been staying in the country at a good old seceshes house till my wound would get so I could come in to camp. I got in to camp day before yesterday. My arm is not well yet. I can scarcely use my arm any at all. I found my Regiment camped at the above named place—the boys are all well and in good spirits—much more so than I expected.

 

            They all started this morning to meet the Yanks again. They are reported to be advancing on us. Our They say they are but 15 miles off. I expect that we will have to dance to Yankeedoodle before many days. I am not well enough to help them this time. I am in camp with the detail that was left to take care of the baggage. Andy Bryan is with me /

 

            Tell Mr. Hull of my misfortune. I lost my horse. They had to leave him at Vicksburg. He got so lame that he could not walk.

 

You must give my best regards to all my old friends. Give my best love to all the girls. Tell Emma and Ella howdy for me and for yourself my Dear friend rest ashured that you have my the best wishes of your friend

                                                                                               

R. W. Murphy

 

Andy Bryan says tell his mother that he has seen his brother-law Martin and he is well.

 

Direct your leters to Holly Springs Miss. to the care of Capt D B Ward

Company (E) 3^rd Texas Regt 1^st Texas Brigade Army of the West

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