Linville Ten Nov 23d 1864
Dearest Ina,
Yours of Nov 2nd came to hand last evening. The comb just suits me. The 3 Division came here last evening. we ar 13 miles north of Pulaski. It did not snow much. it nearly all melted but jack frost came baring down from the north, and bound up Mr Sunny south as tight as wax. It was real cold last night. If I could only had one of your shirts stuffed with straw I should have lain cloce to it and I immagin it would have done me much good. Oh dear how it smokes I must stop writing the wind blows smoke and ashes all around the room / our window curtains will be spoilt shure. Walter is mending his coat. I sed how do you like tailoring. sed he I like Tinkering very well. thinks I no doubt of it and so do I. the name is good
No 24th Soon after I stoped writing the beaugle was sounded to pack tents and in a few minuts we were on the road seemingly in much haste. we marched until dusk, made our bed on the ground I slept very well. The whole force were called up this morning at 5 Oclock. we expected to get our breakfast just as we were putting our coffee to heating the beaugle sounded, pack tents. I well knew there was something in the wind that I had not seen our force was within 8 miles of Columbia. the force made / but one halt until we were cloce to Columbia. the sun was about one hour high and shure we were runing a race with General Forrest. his force was about 2 miles to our left, advancing on the place. we crossed through fields and struck the pike just in the rear of our skermishers that were stationed at this place. the Rebels advanced until a few shell let them know that we had realy beat them a few minuts The 3 Brigade took a position but did no fighting. The Nation lost a few brave men there was one Rebel acting Brigadier killed & captured and had a few dispaches on his person. I was told that one dispach was for him to attact and if he found us in to strong a force to pass by and / to pass and leave the place to his right. The 4th A.C. is with us. Dark all quiet. I drew 3 days rations. Also received a good letter which contained a variety dated Nov 15th Did Uncle build a corn crib. I had forgotton that I took a list of the notes. Did your double hives contain any surplus. How many hives have you. Today is National thanksgiving day. I have thought of it very often. the prayrs of the righteous avail much. no doubt the soldier was rememberd in many devotional petitions.
Nov 25th 9 Oclock all quiet and a pleasant day. I signed the pay roll a few days ago but on the account of the trouble the Regt have not drawn their pay. It is nearly night a part of the Regt drew their pay today. A considerable heavy skermishing this afternoon.
Nov 26th We ar looking for warm times Nov 27th Companies A,F, & I were sent to the front to support the skermishers as the Rebels had charged and drove them. the 3 companies arrived / at a line of breast works in time to hold them. the whole line opened a vigerous fire on them and drove them back. yet we kept up a heavy fire nearly all day. the Rebs put a battery in position but failed after many shots to bring it to bare on our line. A few were killed and wounded yet the 112th escaped all harm. We were relieved at 5 Oclock this morning. It rained yesterday and last night a considerable. There has not been much firing today. I should like it very much to be home with you today so that we might enjoy ourselves and attend meeting. I will send you $245.00. it will be safe [line cut off] for you to keep it yourself / the interest on the 4 bills is 4 cents per day it will amount to a considerable by the time I come home. If you ar obliged to pay out those bills claim the interest that will be due at the time you pay them out. The rebels ar moving east or to our left at this moment they ar in plain sight. I hope they ar leaving. Monday 2 P.M. The mail will leave in a few minuts Yours of Nov 19th I just received. Who is Gosh spoken of in yours Gen Thomas vacated Columbus last night, blew up the fort, burnt the pontoon bridge and R.R. bridge that crosed Duck River that runs just north of town we ar in position now, skermishing is pretty brisk. Dont [paper cut off] money
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