F^rt Donelson Apr 29^th 1863

 

Mr Taylor

                                    Dear Sir It becomes my painful duty to announce to you the death of your Son Rob^t which was a member of our company. Although I have Recd no official statement of the same but I rec^d a letter from one of our boys that was in the same Hospt with them which wrote me that Robt & James Rhodes were dead. there was onely one hours differance between them dying He did not date the time of their death so I cannot give it you I was down to Paducah as I wrote you I thought they were well cared for as could be, but had no Idea but that they would recover & I feel to simpathize with you deeply in the loss of your son but he has onely marked afresh the road we all have to travail sooner or later had he have been here I should have sent his remains home. he was generaly loved & respected by his officers & comrads in his Regt who unanimusly joine in their regrets for this stroke of Providence among our ranks/

 

There was a letter came here from W^m Directed to him I took the liberty to open & note the contents so in case of importance to inshure immediate attention but there was nothing of that nature so I have not sent it back.

 

            I cannot tell you any thing about his affects until we receive official notice from the hospital where he died and then I will have a final statement made out and forward the same to you. he was not paid when we were the last time as he went off a few days before pay master came he has nearly six months pay due. We are all quite well although camp life is rather dull and monotonous at this post no war news of any importance that we get our mails are verry irregular and when they come no papers so we are kept in the dark as to news

 

All quiet on the Cumberland under our observation no good chance for fighting and hoping to hear from you on receipt of this I have the honor to subscribe my self yours verry respectfully

                                    Henry M. Balis

SOURCES