Home. Augt. 15^th 1864

                                                                                                Monday morning

 

My Very Dear William:—

            A portion of our little village are quite excited over the rumor brought down from Columbus by the “reliable gentlemen” yesterday—viz. That Gen. Forrest had ordered all of the quarter-master and commissary stores from Columbus to Meridian and Demopolis. Maj. Anderson telegraphed to Gen. Maury at Mobile to know if he should obey Gen. Forrest’s orders & the enemy are said to be advancing in large force. I have not been able to get excited over it yet, having a good deal of Scotch matter-of-factism in my composition, but am inclined to believe the rumor. In the opinion of your humble servant it is a land force to cooperate with Farrigut’s fleet at Mobile. You have heard ere this that the enemy have passed Fort Morgan and that Forts Gains and Powell have been disgracefully surrendered, without firing a gun. The non-combatants have been ordered out of the city and are leaving rapidly. We have yet many obstructions in the channel which they have yet to pass and strong fortifications around the city. Some expect to hear of the fall of the city daily, but we at home are quite hopeful—I only fear one thing which in the course of time they may do. Starve us out as they did at Vicksburg and may do at Atlanta. So much for a woman’s opinion on the “situation of affairs”.

 

            And now a few village items. Bush Stinson arrived Saturday evening. He is walking on crutches and will probably do so for life. His leg is bent in the position it naturally assumes when sitting on a chair. Little Howard Scott cannot live many days. Mr. John Lang is a prisoner on Johnson’s Island, rooming with Lieut. G and Lieut. D in the room occupied by yourself and Lieut. Ball. Cyrus Spraggins is in the same prison with R. Noland. They have been removed from Ft. York out to Elmira, N.Y. This will be interesting to Mr. Lang and his brother if they have not yet heard of it. Mr. N…. has received a letter from Maje[?] He is doing very well. Miss Norma Goodwin is dead. I think she has a cousin in your company. I saw Aunt—cousins Maggie and Mary—Mrs. Wm Lang and Mrs. Joe Walker in church yesterday evening. They are all quite well their friends will be pleased to learn. And now about your family—your wife is looking thin and badly—so much so that Bro Murrah wished to know if she had been sick. I would suggest that a letter from her husband now and then to relieve her suspense of mind while the fighting continues would make her look and feel better. Your little daughter is as beautiful as ever and very sweet in disposition. Her eyes are getting better. Johnnies are quite sore. Every child in the country almost has been afflicted with sore eyes. We have had rain every day this month. The ground is very damp. I hail this bright sunny morning with joy hoping that my throat will improve during the dry days. Our neighbor Mr. Clark went to Mobile to join his command a few days ago, but has returned to enjoy another thirty days detail. Mr. Frank Murrah is at home. He accidentally fell in a well at Petersborough and bruised himself badly. I take great interest in the meager accounts given in the Mobile papers of the part Gen. Wheeler’s command are acting in the present campaign, and am anxious to know whether or not they have suffered. Have received another letter from Mr. McVoy—I complained bitterly because it was not from you although I was pleased to hear from him.

 

            Receive a kiss from little M…. You probably remember hearing me speak of Capt. Nelson, commissary at Okalona, with whom on a short acquaintance I was greatly pleased. Alas, Alas… this nice young gentleman has been arrested for appropriating government money to his own use and selling government cattle at an extravagant price. So much for the weakness of human nature.

 

            Present my kindest regards to acquaintance of Co. and receive much love and a kiss

 

                                    From Your most affectionate

                                                                                    Mary.

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