Decatur, Ala., May 9, 1864.

 

My Dear Sister:

                        I am "out of jail" at last. The walls of a Hospital no longer restrain me. Let me tell you of the manner of my discharge. Yesterday morning about half past five skirmishing commenced on the picket line. As this is a daily occurrence at first it attracted no especial attention; but it rapidly increased until finally it was volley after volley. Soon a signal cannon was fired and all the troops prepared for a fight. Cavalry dashed through the streets, lines of skirmishers were formed and everything betokened a fight. The firing continued with unabated energy but the rebels seemed to have very little success in driving back our pickets. Some cavalry—the 9^th Ohio—was sent out, and after skirmishing with the rebels awhile, most gallantly charged upon them, with a furious yell,  / and put them to flight. All this took place scarcely one half mile from our Hospital building, which by the way was outside the inner line of fortification, from which it is intended to defend the town. A line of skirmishers was formed inside of us, which had the rebels succeeded in driving back our pickets would have placed us between our own fire and that of the rebels. Seeing this, and knowing furthermore that if the rebs. came in at all, they would come at a charge, and having very little confidence that our incompetent Surgeon would have us removed in time, I left myself, without orders and went inside of the fortification. It was not long before the convalescents of our Regiments in charge of the camp equipage came in also, and I determined to join them and leave the Hospital. I find myself to-day none the worse, but rather better for the change. 

 

            Since the skirmish yesterday morning everything is alive with preparation. Nearly everything has been moved inside the fort, except the Hospital, a large number of buildings have been demolished to give clear range, and the work of fortification goes busily on. 1000 men I suppose are at work upon them to-day. A very strong and entirely new line has been constructed within the past week. The old line was too large for the force now here. I think that we can hold out against five or six thousand without much difficulty. I hope to be strong enough to manage a gun in a day or two if necessary.

 

            All manner of wild rumors are in circulation. Forest is reported near; a large force of rebs. is said to have crossed the river a few miles below. I give very little credit to these reports.

 

            Decatur has fallen upon evil / times. The town is in a fair way of being almost entirely demolished. All the citizens were banished from the place some time ago. It seems sad to witness such destruction but it is an imperative necessity.

                                                                                                           

May 12, 1864.

            The announcement that the rebs. were indeed on the opposite side of the river, and that there would consequently be no mail, cut short my letter. But the mail communication is resumed, and I hasten to finish. All manner of wild rumors have prevailed as to the number of rebs. across the river. They were said to be under the command of Forrest and to number 5000. For a while it was apprehended that a simultaneous attack would be made upon us from both sides of the river, which would have rendered our position anything but comfortable. I think it is pretty well ascertained now however that but a small force crossed over.

 

            Day before yesterday the alarm gun called us to arms; but the rebels wisely confined their operations to a few shots on the picket line. I took a gun and entered the entrenchments with the others, determined to do what I could if the rebs. should charge our works.

 

            But the rebs. have delayed too long if they hope to take this place. Every day the work of fortification goes on until now a very formidable fort encloses us, and to successfully charge which with treble our number would be well nigh impossible. I apprehend no attack. In fact I think that there is but a small force near. We have very few cavalry here, and the rebs. are all mounted; consequently it is useless for us to pursue them, and they become very audacious. Another regiment came in to-day, augmenting our force.

 

            The work of destruction goes bravely busily on. Houses are being demolished in every direction. This morning a church was pulled down. Fifteen or twenty houses inside of our fort is all that will soon remain of Decatur.

 

            We have a report to-day that Forrest has been captured. I hope it is true, but I give no more credit to it than to the thousand other wild rumors that prevail.

 

            As to health, why I am improving finely. Every day I am gaining strength. I think that it will not take many days more to restore me to active duty. /

How I long to hear from home! I hope you are all well.

 

            I feel anxious too to hear from our Regiment. They are with the Army of the Cumberland and I fear have been in battle ere this.

 

            You may write a letter to me, and address it simply Geo. R. Gear, Decatur, Ala., omitting the name of my Regiment. If we remain here long enough I can receive it.

 

            With much love to mother and yourself.

                                               

I remain

Your aff. Brother,

SOURCES