Camp Andrew Jackson

March the 4^th 1862

 

              Dear Mother I take my seat to write you a few lines to inform you that I am well hoping this may find you the same. I am happy to inform you that I reced your letter yesterday dated Feb the 12^th/62, which was perused with heart felt gratitude; feeling at the same time it was my duty to do as you requested; dont be alarmed about my welfare for I am in good spirits and my only trouble is thinking of the tender mother at home which I fear gives herself to much uneasiness about me. We have left Camp Jefferson as no doubt you have heard in Jesses letter. Our first victory was the takin was the capture Bowling Greene which was taken wh without the loss of one man: the /

 

When the rebels heard of our advance they left the City as fast as they possible could burning the bridges to prevent us from overtaking them, but our arrival was sooner than they had expected. they had left about three Reg of infantry to guard the baggage train (and some fifty or sixty Texas Rangers) but a few shots from our union Battery gave them a fright and they ran of in squads like wild men leaving the rangers to destroy as much property as they could which they executed with as much vigor as possible in their mad carreer. they burnt the provisions Stors Depot and train and 9 locomotives) their killed and wound was about 13 ours none.

 

(it was the 10^th of feb, when we left Bown Creek We camped beside the river for two or three days and then crossed on a flat boat and took possession of the City. Feb the 24^th (saturday) we got marching orders with instructions to prepare three days ration the first days march it rained all day / and at night there was not a man in our Battery had a dry thred on him) however we done well and not a bit discouraged we traveled 20 miles which brought us to a to a little town called Franklin and we occupied a large building that night to sleep in which was used for a tobacco barn next day we marched 20 miles and encamped in the woods beside the road and spent the rest of the sunday evening in resting our weary limbs; next day we left this beautiful place about 6 oclock expecting to have a little fun that day. so we traveled on patiently all day, and night brought us to the end of our journey. we went as far as the Cumberland river suspension Bridge where we wer compeled to retire for the night of the rebles rebels had burn burnd the bridges to prevent our crossing. next morning I arose and shook myself and walked out of the tent and viewed the beautiful City of Nashville Tennessee. (We were in the advance and our little company was the first to ocupy arrive to the river) /

 

About              The nex day our troops

The nex morning about some 18 or 20 boats load of soldiers arrived and up the river from Camp Wickliffe with some 20000 troops and several Batteries of Artillery and about 10 oclock the stars and strips were floating of over the capitol of Tennessee without the firing the first gun the rebels being fled and the Citizens surrendered the City without a word they destroyed no private property here as they did at B. G. We crossed the river on the boat on wednesday and are now in Camp 3 miles south of town in Camp Andrew Jackson. our the troops have been coming in all the time since we came and now there is certainly very near | 100000 | men here. On Our next move will be for Memphis I suppose soon. time and space prevents writing some particulars that I would. there is several sad accidents happ My love to all enquiring friends tell Missouri I would like to see her Remember I am in a good case cause farewell

 

Direct you letter to | N Keen Nashville N. Keen

To in Care of Capt Simonsons Battery

                                    Gen. Mitchells Devision

SOURCES