Athens, Ala., March 21, 1864.

 

My Dear Mother:

                        Your letter of the 9^th was received four or five days since, but as I had just written to Jerusha, I thought that I would wait two or three days before answering it.

 

            Since the occupation of Decatur by our forces a great many refugees and deserters have come into our lines. Many who have been laying out in the woods and swamps to avoid conscription are now coming in and joining our army. A good many of the rebel cavalry are deserting also, and giving themselves up. The number of refugees and deserters average 30 or 40 a day. A day or two since a squad of about 30 were taken prisoners, and were sent to Nashville on the train from this / place.

 

            A man by the name of Moore who lived near Athens has organized a guerrilla band, who are engaged in robbing and plundering. A day or two since whilst a detail from our company were out on a foraging expedition they were attacked by him. He fired upon them from a hill, but did not venture to make a charge, and when they saw that our men did not run, they made a rapid retreat, after firing their guns and revolvers. None of their shots were effective, but they made the dust fly around the boys quite lively. A few shots were returned by us, but as they were all mounted they were soon beyond reach.

 

            Gen. Dodge now has his headquarters here, having moved them from Pulaski to this place. It is said that our old Brigade is broken up. Col. Fuller commands our Brigade still, but the 63^rd / and 43^rd are no longer brigaded with us. Instead we have the 18^th Missouri, and an Illinois regiment. Col. Sprague of the 63^rd commands a Brigade consisting of the 43^d, 63^d, and two Illinois Regiments. These are camp reports, and I do not vouch for their truth.

 

            Last evening we had a little prayer meeting at the house of an old man by the name of Malone. He is a very pious old man, and is constantly talking of religion. He lives all alone, excepting his colored people. He has children living elsewhere who wish him to come to them, but he says that he cannot leave his old house and servants. I said to him Do you live all alone, here? "O, no", says he, "My Master stays with me." He brings his colored people into the prayer meeting. Last evening some 8 or 10 of them were in, old and young. One old lady took part in prayer. Her language was rude, but the prayer evidently came from the heart. The / words were uttered with a musical rhythm, much like a chant. They sang some of their hymns. They were of a very simple nature and abounded in repetitions. The old man takes a pride in having trained up his slaves in religion. He has been at one time wealthy, and owned a large number of slaves. He speaks of them as his family, and says that out of fifty who have died, there has not been one who did not give evidence of love to Christ. His slaves all love him, and could not be persuaded to leave him. He has but few now. It really does me good to talk with the old man. He is very cordial, and has a large religious experience, having been a Christian for 55 years.

 

            I have formed some other acquaintances here whom I will tell you somewhat about some other time.

 

            I find that I have lost my towel. Please send me one by mail.

 

            If you need any of that $25 do not hesitate to take it. I am glad that you kept it, as you can lay your hands upon it more readily.

 

            I received a letter from Jerusha two or three nights since.

 

            Enclosed you will find an old bill of exchange which we got in cleaning out an old store to put commissary goods in. Please give it to Eddie. Perhaps it will please him.

 

            I received the letter that Jerusha remailed to me in the short time of 25 days after it was written.

 

            Don't work in the garden too hard. Get some one else to do the heavy work.

                       

Remember me to Alonzo.

                                   

Your aff. son,                                                 

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