Steamer N. W. Thomas

Near Fort Pillow Ap. 15^th

 

            My Dear Nellie

                                    Today has been a bright one, letters from yourself, Rose and Gracie reached me here. I mailed you a note yesterday as we landed at the Arkansas shore but we did not march as I expected. The move was merely getting the fleet into position to commence opperations. Instead of attackting the Fort by land as I expected and wished we are probably to have another No. 10. siege. The first shell from our mortars was fired about noon yesterday and has been kept up at intervals since The enemy did not reply until this afternoon some of their shot apparently striking the water near our gunboats, which are stationed about 1 1/2 miles below us but in plain view. The Fort and enemys Boats are behind a point of timber and can not be seen from where we are. No credible intelligence of their strength has yet been received. Mr Haney tells me that two deserters has arived at Genl Popes Head Qrs but their information is not made public.

 

Nellie it is quite interesting to sit on the guards / of our steamer and count the seconds between the flash and report of the distant guns. I do wish that you could be here to help me spend these beautiful moonlight evenings on the River the scene is truly magnificent. Steamers loaded with men singing and bands playing glide to and fro through the smoothly shining water where our fleet is harbored, which together with the occasional flash and boom of cannon make up a scene that is worth half a life time to see.

 

Spring is much further advanced here than at New Madrid One Hundred miles above. The trees are fully leaved out and it has been quite sultry part of the day. I took a long walk on the shore with some of the boys to a large plantation belonging to a widow lady who left for Mississippi the day before we arived taking her negroes with her except one that gave me much information concerning the country. I fancied her Cottage very much it is built and fitted up in real southern style with a beautiful park serounding it in which were several tame deer. Everything about the farm part of the establishment looked “Nigger” all over,—except perhaps a flock of sheep.

 

Nellie I am indeed sorry to learn that you and Miss Levonworth[?] are not as good friends as when we were last together. I always regarded Carrie as a very estimable young lady and can not / think that she would knowingly do a wrong act if she has injured any person it was certainly through indiscretion not ill will or a bad heart.—“to err is human to forgive devine.” My dear wife I do hope and pray that you will not in any manner become mixed up in the ill feeling that appears to have taken possesion of some of the citizens of Carthage and abid “gossips” as you would the Devil I beieve that they are the worst of the two.

 

Nellie I was very much pleased with Rose’s good letter and will answer it as soon as possible I consider myself indebted to Gracie—something pretty, when I see her for that dear little letter it gave me much pleasure and I think was first rate for a child like her I hope to receive your Brothers letter soon. dear Nellie I discovered long long ago what you mentioned in your letter as being so very important to our happiness it is indeed and my purest wish shall be to cherish and ever reciprocate your love. Although I am far away from you I fully recognize the obligation resting on me. Nellie I will close to you and spend the ballance of the evening with Rose and Gracie I am Officer of the Day tomorrow but will try and find leisure to write to. Excuse me for not thanking you sooner for your kind favor of postage stamps they came in very good time. it is impossible to get them here or keep them after you do get them I have / only two left. I don’t know how my last came to be marked “soldier letter” but suppose by mistake. it was probably left at the Adgts. Office to be sent to post with others that had to be franked. I do not wish to send any that way if I can avoid it.

 

Nellie I am quite well and also all of my Boys except John Welsh who has the fever. I left three at New Madrid two of which will probably be discharged. I received today an invoice of new guns, which I have long desired.

 

My dear Nellie I will write to you as often as possible but dont feel uneasy should my letters be delayed. I am liable to be ordered any minute where it will be impossible for me to write    good bye dearest

 

                                                            Affectionately your husband

 

                                                                        J. B. Cahill

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