Memphis August 2^nd 1864

 

Dear Brother

            It is with pleasure I again pick up the pen to tell a few things as they pass I received the letter from you yesterday from K. and the answer now lies before signed sealed and read to you go I told you in my letter of yesterday that I did not expect to march for about 1 week but now I expect we will go to morow or next day certain I will try and get you some books before I get back this time if I can and get back at all There is quite a prospect now for rain you say you expect I hear from some of the girls around K. perhaps I do by way of some of my friends such as J. O. or Brad I do you know that I would not dare to write to any of them myself as well as I do All the baggage we are taking with us in this march is one pair of pance which we wear a change of shirts 1 blanket poncho and half a tent one jacket or blouse the boys are generally are in tolerable good health We would all rather go on the march than to lie here in camp 3^rd A. The morning passed quietly away untill about 2 oclock pm when orders came to march immediately whe wel we harnessed up and started about 3 oclock and marched out about 10 miles and went into camp about dark We made our beds on the ground and went to bed about 11 oclock it comenced to rain and the consequence was we got wet our orders were to march at 2 in the morning so we had to get up at 8 it was raining then too rolled our blankets up wet. 4^th we did not march untill daylight after we started awhile two other boys and myself started off of the road to see what w we could find that we wanted We found all we wanted to eat which was all we wanted we would/ stop at every house we came to for some thing they allmost all secesh we were off of the road over three miles keeping along paralell with the road We kept along so untill we got all we could possible eat and drink we had mellons pears peaches plums apples and cider and milk to drink at noon we got afirst rate good dinner by this by time we have all we can possibly eat some stashed for the road when we reached the road we was a short distance behind the battery but they had stoped we followed along with the battery the rest of the day We marched on untill after dark we had to go through the woods and it was as dark as it could well be and besides that I never saw it nor felt it rain harder than it did about that time and it thundered and lightened very hard just fancy what a fine time we had asleeping evry was wet as water would make it but we wet went to bed for such they call it I slept first rate be cause I was tired enough to sleep any place we went to sleep without any supper but I was not hungry at all 5^th We rolled out of our wet sleeping places about daylight and to work at breakfeast expecting to have a chance to cook it but we just got it nicely cooking when orders came to hitch up and move right out but I got my breakfeast ready and eat it before they started we traveled on all day with not any thing occuring except we had all the melons and the best kind of melons that we could eat all day we reached this place about 7 oclock in the evening were we are now in camp I expect we will stay here about 10 days and perhaps longer 9^th We are yet at Holly springs with orders to march in an hours notice They are fighting now in hearing of us that is so we can hear the guns The weather is quite pleasent I was out yesterday 5 or 6 miles from camp the country is very poor down this way I found some good melons and that was about all I did find of course I got my dinner/

 

I got a letter from uncle Dave yesterday He or his has alittle boy about 1 month old they call him Oliver a sweet name I think Ichabod is better dont you I quit writing to answer his letter We have plenty to eat here now The boys have just come into camp with all the honey they could cary I got a lot of flower yesterday we are agoing to have some buiscuit and honey for supper wont that be good We have just had quite arain We have all the potatoes we want to use sweet potatoes are getting big enough to use we will make them suffer when they get good 10^th Marched from Holly Springs to Waterford where we had good water and plenty of it. We marched from there the next day and to Abbyville about 4 miles south of the Tallahatchie river 12^th to day we went out after forage we went about 250 strong 13 of of our battery boys went I was one of them we were all mounted on horses we went about 12 miles out into the country and couldnot get 6 wagon loads of corn nor any thing else so you may know that there is not much in this part of the country I could not as much as get my dinner I did get a porker and some peaches to eat our boys were skirmishing most all the after noon with the enemy here in front of camp I did not learn the causualities of either side We run on to some rebs out where we was but we did not attack them and they let us alone They are expecting an attack here to day the 13^th but I donot know I dont think it will be made We are having plenty of rain here now My red ink has played out and I have to use this kind now The pickets have commenced firing again that is skirmishing has begun for to day whether they will do any thing remains to be seen yet but if the come in here they are agoing to get hurt we have abouty 40000 men out on this expedition There was a lot/ of our boys went to Lagrange a day or two ago to keep old Forest out of that place We got orders to move back about 1 mile into line just as we got every pulled up ready to move it commenced to rain and it rained hard for about 1 hour we moved back into battle line where we layed all night they had heavy fighting on our left and to the front but not where our battery was the 14^th we moved back to our old camp our boys whiped the rebs and drove them off out of hearing every thing is still to day 15^th I received your letter of the 2^ond was very glad to hear from you I received and a letter from John Hayes and Lew and John is at alittle town about five miles south of the mouth of red river I am well now Corn had got to big for roasting We feed it to our horses it is all we can get for them green corn I would like the K Kendallville paper once and while That note was due the 4^th of this month $25.00 I had sent home $75.00 to pay on it I donot know when we will be paid off I will have a $32.00 due as that is all I will draw from government How should I know what has become of Minnie but I guess she has gone to Leigoneer so says report

 

            Cynthia

                        dear sister afew words to you I wish you much Joy and I hope you may allways think as much of your Lew as you do now for I thing agood deal of Lew We have enough to eat now but not plenty and the water is quite good I have wrote so much above that I have nothing else to write dinner is about ready I have three to write after dinner

 

                                                                                    yours as ever

                                                                                                Jefferson S. Loveridge

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