Mar 27

well Mary I received 4 letters from you last night. they were mailed Jan 24, Feb 14, Feb 24, March first. I think I will take the advantage & answer them all at once. one of them contained a letter from Dow which I was very glad to get. I was glad to hear from my old friends in the east. you sent me a scrap of your dress I think you made a good choice it is much cheaper than calico & much beter. I found 2 stamps in each of them. I think I have anough to last while I am in the service. we have had one hard fight on this march. it was on the 19, 20 & 21. Old Johnson was in command he had a force of thirty thousand. thare was one corps of eastern troops / engaged & had it not been for Shermans tigers Johnson would have whiped them like thunder. as soon as Shermans boys began to yel & pore in volly after volly Johnson said them are Shermans tigers & retreated as soon as he could this batle was fought about 20 miles from here at a place called benton ville. our loss was consiberable the 25 Iowa lost 24, 2 killed the 4 lost 16, the 9, 8, the 31, 6 wounded none killed.

                                                                                               

well Mollie

I cant write much more this time the mail is going out at 2 oclock & now it is noon. I have been washing my shirt & drawers this forenoon & that has taken the time. if I had 3 years more to serve I would have a nigger. I am well & harty, may this find you all the same,

Mollie C Shibly

O Shibly

 

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I will write again as soon as I can

tell the rest to write

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