Iuka, Miss., Oct. 30, 1863.

 

Dear Mother:

                        Yesterday I commenced a letter to you, which was interrupted. To-day I will try it again. I to-day received your letter of Oct. 21, containing money and stamps. I shall have stamps enough now to last me for some time. The money I did not need just at present, as I have some yet. I am sorry to learn of Mary's illness. From what you say, I think the time is nigh at hand when the cloud which has so long rested upon her brain is to be removed, and she sha will join father and brother and sister in the angelic band, "clothed and in her right mind". Perhaps such is God's will rather than that she should enjoy light here. If she is still alive give her my love, and tell her to be a good girl and mind mother, and then God / will love her.

 

            I have not time now to continue my narration of our march, which I began in my letter to Jerusha. I mentioned being on picket yesterday. This morning we were relieved. Just as we were about to leave for camp, news came that a squad of rebels had made their appearance just in front of us, and we were requested to remain, which we did. Pretty soon, bang-bang bang, went the guns of one of our outposts just ahead of us. Pretty soon they made their appearance, and our skirmishers let fly at them. The rebs. returned the fire, and whiz-z-z-z, zip, went the balls around our heads and at our feet. We skirmished with them for awhile, and reinforcements coming up on our side they soon retreated and / disappeared. We saw only about a dozen of them.

 

            Gen. Sherman's army is mostly at Eastport, on the Tennessee River, eight miles from here. Whether we are to cross the river and go with him to Chattanooga I cannot tell, but I think it not improbable.

 

            Iuka has altered its appearance but very little. It is pretty much the same looking place that it was one year ago.

 

            Very possibly I shall not have opportunity to write you again for several days; but I will do so whenever I can.

 

            Direct your letters to Corinth.

                       

Your Son,

SOURCES