April 23^d /65

            Camp of 101^st 4 miles west

            from Nashville Tenn

 

Dear Wife I am hapy to inform you that I am well and again back to Nashville it seems that we are equal to the wandering jew but 3 days ago we were away in East Tenn almost at the Carolina line and today here we came by rail and arrived last night about 9 Oclock and was run out 2 miles west of the city onloaded lay beside the track as best we could until morning and we have came here a verry nice place for camp we are all laying around reading letters as we just got mail the first for 10 days and a big one I got one from you one from George one from Eliza Mcreary and while our cook is getting some dinner I will write some under this tree we came all safe and had a good time on the cars 2 days and 2 nights / now what we are here for I dont kno nor any of us but you may be sure there is plenty of conjectures Some say we go to Texas but I think no most think we will go home I think so myself but not yet I will give my opinion and it is of the same that many that is the army will be reorganized and redused the 1862 men will be mustered out well if that be so even it will take at least 1 month to settle up ready to be mustered out after the order comes for it

 

well Mam I am glad you had a good time over Leeas surrender there has been some in the army but I can feel better over my victory if I get home all safe well Col Mc came before we left East Tenn my things came all right my coat cost 28 Dollars pants 12 saber 16 belt 4 shoulder straps $1.50 so in all $61.50^cts and 40 you gave leaves $21.50 for me to pay yet I am hard up now / for money Capt Bryant of Co A and I mess together we have a pack mule to carry our grub and blankets and a man to cook for us I will have to live off from some ones money until we get pay well I wont say when I will get home but I hope soon and at present believe by the 4^th of July perhaps sooner perhaps not so soon but I can safely say in 4 months more I can form a better idea when all the Corps gets here what is up there is only 1^st and 2^d Brigades got here of our Division the rest are coming as fast as they can be shipt the report was when we left the Corps supply train was going through Cumberland Gap to Louisville I doubt that if so we go there afterwhile and if so we are going home the baggage train is coming by rail you enquired about Kies he was well I saw him when we left Bulls Gap he is driveing team in the supply train and I dont think he got any box from home about Jef he may have been captured but I think not for all that force that was up there / in East Tenn under old Von has surrendered they came through the Gap the day before we left they were going to Knoxville to take the oath there was a lot of Cavelry headed with a flag of truce came in they say the road is strung clear to North Carolina they are disbanded you nead not expect any letter from Jef for he cant send any where they are yet

well I will write more soon and then I may kno more to write I must fix a tent and get something to ly on if I can Oh yes Al Stoner came to us today fat as a pig now you wanted to kno what that was the cats fight about I could sho you better but I will try to tell so you kno what I meen it is what some calls Skin the boys traded hams and flour for the South is filled with hoars from one end to the other that is a polite way the soldiers say get some of that the cats fight about you kno cats fight when 3 or 4 old Toms get after one old she cat that is hot there is many funny things in the army whenever any sees a man with a white collar on they begin to call here ring here ring and whistle for a dog today a Col came past our Regt drest to sin they commenced here Ring he stopt and wanted to kick somebody they all commenced he compained to one Co Officer to take care of his men he said his men could take care of themselves

 

I close this and write soon again

and remain yours

                                    Lt. C. M /

 

I got them 10^s and 5 Po stamps you sent when we were at Strawberry Plains I have got them curiosities and some verry nice sea shells I intend to carry them home I have them in Capt Roberts desk they are safe and I will leave them there until I get a better way than mail to send them I have some others from Bulls Gap we call them Diamonds they are like glass cut in different shapes we found them on the hill sides by the sun shineing on them I saw some the finder was offered 5 Dollars for one and refused it I have a few but not verry nice ones I think this will do for this time no more

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