Cowens Tenn            July 8^th 1863

 

                        Dear Parents

                                                I have another chance to write and send a letter home and as this army has driven the Rebels out of Tennasee there may be some thing of an interesting character that I can give you. We left Murfreesboro June 24^th and our Division at first was in or near the rear of the Corps but by hard marching we got nearer the advance and at the taking of Liberty Gap was close to to the Conflict. It has rained every day and night since we have been on the march and such roads I never experienced before even in the swamps of Indiana. Quite a large share of our journey has been over what they call two spurs of the Cumberland mountains and you can imagine what how dificult it must be for a large Army /  with all their trains and in an almost constant rain to cross these mountains.

 

            On Saturday June 27^th our Division started out early in the morning and marched all day and did not stop any length of time untill eleven at night when we went into Camp for the remainder of the night. Our train did not come up so we went to bed with out a tent or a blanket or anything to eat and had a very refreshing shower which continued untill daylight. but after all I slep had a good sleep and felt rested in the morning. That morning we started at six AM and were soon in Manchester where we spent the Sunday. On Tuesday night June 30^th we camped within six miles of the Rebel stronghold Tulahoma where we had reason to expect a bloody battle, Our Division holding the advance but our position was a good one and every thing was in readiness if they attempted to drive us back. On July 1^st we entered / Tulahoma. Our Division still ahead, the Rebs concluded not to give battle though they had a strong force there. Some of them left by their railroad and towards Chatanoga and a large portion scattered through the mountains.

 

            Our troops took five large seige guns and prisoners are being brought in all of the time. We came to this place the night of July 3^d and will probably stay here some days. I suppose we are waiting for our trains to come up but as things have changed at Vicksburg and at Gettysburg Pa it may change our course somewhat. Last evening a dispatch was received by old Rosy and a copy sent to our headquarters that Vicksburg was is ours, and Lees army overthrown. If all this good news proves true the the Rebellion is about gone up. As the news of these victories spread through the camps the shouting of the soldiers and the cannon booming out their Salutes made me think that if it does not prove true somebody will be badly disapointed. I see by one account from Vicksburg that Otties Regiment was engaged in taking a one the forts and I am anxious to hear about him.

 

            He does not write to me verry often and I have written last. If you hear from him let me know as soon as you can.

 

            My health is is verry good now better than for two months back. I think it is oweing to contraband or rather private confiscation of new potatoes poultry, pigs and numerous articles found in Rebel gardens also any amount of Blackberries found all over the woods here. I expect the war will close soon to our entire satisfaction and  we will all be home again. Then Our Country will be purer and better in every respect.

 

            We have shown to other nations how powerfull this nation is and they will not only respect us more but fear us to / an extent they have never before.

 

Slavery will be known as a thing of the past and the southern states will be settled by a different race of beings who will have more energy than the lordly slaveholders who are now becoming extinct. This may all be a vision dream or something of that nature but I cant help thinking such will be the case ere long.

 

            I dont know of anything more and as my table is of a primitive sort and wont keep steady I shall have to wind up this letter

 

Hoping all are well at home I send love to all. Write soon and Direct to Murfreesboro

 

                                                                        From your Affc Son

                                                                                    J A Hatch

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