Camp 9 miles east of Murfreesboro Dec 21^st 1862

 

Dear Mother

                        I will drop you a few lines in answer to a letter I received a few days since dated Nov. 2^nd. I was glad to hear that you were all well and that Father would soon be able to wear a wooden leg. I have nothing of interest to write to you only that I am in better health than I have been in since we crossed the Mississippi River I wrote to Capt. [cracked paper fold] get to see the letter. Since I wrote the letter to the Captain we have heard that the Yanks have evacuated Nashville and are going to Vicksburg. It is supposed that they are going to attack the place by land and water both at the same time. We have heard that our Armey in Arkansas has had an other fight near Fayetteville and had to retreat beyond the Boston Mountains it is not confirmed and I hope it is not true. There is a [faded] in this Regiment who was taken prisoner in Ky and taken to Camp Chase Indianna that told that he saw a man there by the name of Yoakum he said he had a brother who lived near Honey Grove Texas. He lives in Virginia and says that they had taken him prisoner while at home on account of his political notions. If Father will write to me and tell me where to direct a letter I will write to his family and let them know where he is. I wrote a letter to Aunt Hellen and directed it to Petersburg I have not received any answer to it I do not know whether I directed it to the right place or not 

 

I am now Orderly Sergt of this Company I have a good deal to do and I think it agrees with me pretty well. W^m Reed came from Louden a few days ago he says that George Gwaltney is on the mend. I do not think he ought to go into camp this winter for it appears that camp life does not agree with him in winter. The boys are generally well. We have had but very little fatal sickness in this Regiment this winter.

 

I can think of nothing else at present.

 

write soon and often

                                                           

Your affectionate Son

I. M. Yoakum

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