Camp 32 & 58^th Alabama Regiments

Sunday January 31^st 1864.

 

My Dear Nannie,

                        Having but little to do to day and knowing that you are always anxious and uneasy about me, and gratified at all times to hear from me, I again avail myself of the pleasure of writing you a few lines which I am pleased to say leaves me in tolerable good health. Nothing of any interest has transpired since I wrote to you last, except a little scare we had a night or two ago, which was right laughable after it was all over. About nine Ocock at night the Adjutant came running into my house, very much excited, and minus his hat, coat and pants, and says “Capt Bell have your Company in line ready to march off in five minutes, with their knapsacks blankets and every thing;” and without waiting to answer any question or give me any explanation, he hurried / off to repeat the same orders to the other officers. I went out and woke up the men, and then packed up my own baggage, and by this time the Regiment was forming in line of battle.—Giving a few instructions to Antony, I gathered up my sword and havresack, and in much less time than it has taken me to write it, had my men in line ready for action. The baggage wagons were all loaded up and and every thing in complete trim either for a march or a fight. After waiting an hour or two and receiving no orders to march I began to inquire into the cause of it, and found that orders had only been sent round to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moments notice. It was quite amusing to see the anxiety of some of the privates who indulge in speculating schemes to a small extent upon tobacco, Pinders, and ginger cakes, some of whom had small supplies on hand, and more than they could pack, and fear of looseing the whole, caused them to fall considerably, ginger cakes went from one dollar / down to twenty-five cents, Pinders fell from one dollar to ten cents a quart, and tobacco went down in proportion. The whole thing grew out of a report that the Yankees were advancing in large forces, a report brought in by some cowardly cavalry man. The excitement has worn off and every thing is moving on quietly and peaceably again, and there is no prospect of a fight soon. Yesterday our division turned out on review, and had the day been a pleasant one, we would had a fine time of it, but owing to the rain it was very muddy and disagreeable and a march of five miles and back through the mud was by no means pleasant.

 

I am getting extremely anxious to hear from you and the children, having heard nothing from you since I left you on the morning of the 20^th inst. Had I known that the boat would be so late coming down I might have remained at home all day with you and the children. /

 

Febry. 1^st

                        There is nothing more of interest to communicate this morning, every thing quiet and peaceable. no signs of an engagement soon. The weather is wet, and the roads muddy and disagreeable. There is a gooddeal of sickness in Camp.

 

Present my regards to your Ma, My love and a Kiss to the children, and believe me to be very sincerely and devotedly Yours—

                                                Jno. W. Bell.

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