Camp 45^th Pa Vols

Tenn. Dec 21^st 1863

                       

Dear Sister & Brother,

                                                After so long a time I once more will try to write you a few lines to let you know that I am yet alive and well, and I hope that you will be when you receive this

 

            I rec^d yours of the 9^th (which is the last that I have heard from you) of Nov a few days ago, but have not had time to write till now.

 

            Since I wrote before we have seen some pretty hard times and not much to eat.

 

            We left our winter quarters on the 14^th of Nov. and we went down the river and drove the Rebs across the river, and the next day we fell back, and the Rebs followed us up. so we laid in line of battle about all night and then we marched till about noon, when the Rebs come onto us too hard. so we stopped / and fought them about an hour there in the woods and we laid out a good many of them and we lost a few men. I lost one man there. I dont know whether he was killed or wounded. we then fell back into a field where our Artillery was in position and our whole Corps was there formed in line of battle, and there we stopped and fought them with Artillery till dark, when we fell back again and marched till midnight, when we stopped and made coffee, and then we went on again and arrived at Knoxville about four oclock in the morning, when we laid down on the ground and slept about two hours. we laid still that forenoon and the afternoon we went to digging rifle pits, and from then till the fifth 5^th of Dec. we were to work and laying in the rifle pits, and out on the skirmish line, night and day. the Rebs made several attacks on our lines but were repulsed with loss every time.

 

            We had some reinforcements come up from below and the / Rebs got scared and left, so we followed them up for two or three days, and now I think they have left this state and gone to North Carolina (at least that is the report.) we have been here about a week. we have been out 34 miles from Knoxville, but we have fell back now and are about 18 miles now from Knoxville. We are having some pretty cold weather here now and short rations, and poor clothing.

 

            Mr R. S. F. Kennedy is well as usual and so is John Fletcher.

 

            Well as my fingers are getting cold I will close for this time. please write soon.

 

            I wish that George would see if that farm can be bought that lays across the road opposite the house. if it can be bought anyways reasonable, I will send money enough to pay for it when I get my pay again.

 

            so no more direct as before.

                       

from your Brother, Capt W^m Chase.

to G. W. & M. Kennedy.

SOURCES