Camp Troup Artillery Sept. 5^th 1863

 

My dear Mother

                        Mr. Thomas left our battery this morning for Georgia and as I am anxious to get some things by him I concuded to write you. He will return in ninety days to the company so you wont have long enough to obtain and prepare the things I desire. I want you to see Mr. Avery or some other person whom you think best and buy some excellent lantern kits. and get Mr. Woodin of Watkinsville Geo. to make me a pair of boots. He will charge some fifty or sixty dollars if he finds the leather but I think you can have them made for about $40.00 by you purchasing leather. This gentleman is an excellent bootmaker.

 

PS. St. Jennings brought with him a pair of shoes for me, but I let another man have them as they were too short for me. Our co. is in good health & spirits, yours C

 

But if Mr. Ayers could make an excellent & nice looking boot & cheaper by 10 dollars than this gentleman you can then get him to make them though I prefer the former unless much better arrangements can be made, as his boots generally last well. My measure can be obtained at Mr. Henday. I hope you will procure the leather and have them made at once, as I am needing them but if you find it impossible to get them ready in time and back by Mr. Thomas have them made, and another opportunity may present. Have you that twilled blue flannel at home yet? In a month I will need some thick shirts and I know of nothing better than that if you not going to wear it. I wish you would make me a pair of cotton undershirts and send by Mr. Thomas and if you can secure anything suitable I would like. I got two undershirts some first rate calico woud answer if nothing better can be obtained. Dont get the thick good, so commonly made for soldiers. Calico is very nice to make shirts. I could yet write other things but I fear I will tax you. I need my horse and paid Mr. Dent expenses &c. from Georgia. I rode 47 miles after him and found him in low order. I will keep him to ride and rest “my favorite” and to take in a fight. I wont sell him as I have the Confederate money, and I expect you are not needing any of Confed. script.” at this time. I will need him to ride in a fight so if he get killed I can still have “Billy.” By this means I may be able to bring “Billy” home when the war is over. I am holding “Bill” at $700 and if anybody is fool enough to offer it I will raise to $900 and so on keeping ahead of the market.

 

Have you laid in a supply of salt? If not do so at once. I think it will begin to rise in a few days. Everything is quiet though it cant be so long. A great noise must be heard soon from the two armies. The next battle will be bloody and desperate I think. The weather is pleasant here. Nights tolerably cool.

 

PS—Excuse this note. I will send the note to Mr. W. to be sent when you go to have the boots made.

I hope I am not too needy at this time.

 

                                                                        Yours.

SOURCES