Israel Heaps is one

of the missing at Franklain

Spring Hill Tenn

Dec 22^nd 1864

 

Dear Ina,

                        I have not herd from you I think since the 7^th. I wrote you the evening of the big skedadle of the Johnies. Our forces followed on the next day. The 112^th arrived at Franklain a little before night went in camp North of the river crossed over the following day and went in camp on the battle field of two weeks previous. We learned while here that Pat Kenney died on the 6^th from his wounds also the supposition is that Milton is a prisonor. did not hear from Alonzo / Mathews or Woodruff. By the nomber of graves the Rebels must lost very heavy. I wish you could see the ground, viliage and locust trees that were cut down by our balls. I was to the spot where Co A tried to take a line or reinforce, as we supposed our men occupied the works but on arriving to it found it vacated I did not fully explain it before none but Co A tried to reinforce the 2^nd line of works it is a dangerous place I wonder how I escaped. About 8 000 prisonors and 51 pieces of artilery has been taken in Nashville fite A great many wounded fell in our hands at Franklain. You will get more of a correct account of things as they ar than I / can posibly give. day before yesterday while marching to this place we herd heavy firing, which we supposed was at Columbia 9 miles distant my letters may conflict in the distances from place to place. we ar marching so much that I forget the distances. while we have been here we have been told that prisonors have passed in large nombers I have seen but few in 3 days. We can hear no firing today or yesterday consequently I believe Hood thinks leg security is the safest. Reports ar conflicting in regard to him. We had orders to march early yesterday morning and we ar here yet. The ground is white with snow. We have herd that Sherman has taken / Savannah with 12 000 prisonors 60 tons of ammunition and sent his force to Richmond. Yet we think he has no such victory as we have had, from the fact that we have completely routed the enemy with so little loss as we have had. I have not herd how great it is but am satisfied it is very light. The papers give our loss at Franklain of 2 000 in all many of course was slightly wounded We the 112^th expect soon to go into winter quarters. Walter and your loving Husband is well.

 

Dec 24^th

                        All quiet on the Duck River. Our Division came here on the north side of the river which is at the suburbs of Columbia. last evening / the 4^th A.C. crossed the River yesterday. Hood is sed to be at Linville 12 or 15 miles south. we do not expect he will make a stand wo unto him if he does. It is clear and pleasant this morning. Night before last after dark I recieved two letters from you Dates 11^th & 14^th I was glad to get them. How long or what month is the note due that you hold against Gosh I fear you will have trouble with it unless you look after it closely as soon as due. Winters is a poor man his name being attatched to it amounts to but little. You ask if I would come home on a furlough. My present convictions ar that I would not unless / I was closer home than Nashville and could get 30 day furlough. It costs to much to furlough it to often. it will do very well for Oficers if they dont—well you may guess at the ballance. In regard to the corn I think it will be safe to leave it to Charles wheather it will be best to shell it or not when you wish to sell, the differance in the prices cost of shelling &c will make much differance. Dont send me a box of nice things to eat I get aplenty of nick and leave out the nacks. We very often get wormy crackers. any thing to free the Negro as the boys say The boys forrage a considerable for the past few days they have had a plenty of honey fresh pork /

 

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cause, but am willing to risk it on that score at least I think I will be all right in a few days. I had a soldiers breakfast this morning which was fried pork, crackers, and coffee sweatened. Hope you had /

 

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the River. Two days after the Nashville fite. You will see by the many captures that we have taken near or about 70 cannon from Hood Our forces met with a serious delay after leaving Nashville I did not hear of it until yesterday which was this / General Thomase's orderd his Adjutant General to forward the pontoon on the Franklain pike about the time Hood took to his heels and the Adjutant order the pontoon train on the Murphreesboro pike which came near being captured by Forrest and finaly they returned and took the right road the pontoons were for Duck River at this Town. by this fatal mistake our forces were delaid about 24 hours, which proved a blessing to Hood. Our victory might have been much greater than it is, but we must not ask for to much It is generaly believed that Hood has lost at least 15,000 since he crossed the Tenn. River on his way North. Namely at Decator / Ala on his way to Nashville about 1000 at Columbia 1000 Franklain 7000 at Nashville in two days 6400. Also the Rebels attacted Murphreesborro on two differant days and were repulsed both times with a heavy loss, and while he was falling back from Nashville he lost evry day quite large squads General Cocks sed sed that Hood lost at Franklain in his skedadle 1000 and say 600 at Murfreesborro that makes 17,000 some say his loss must have been 20,000 which I suppose is about one third or nearly one half of his army. I presume Adda and Willy had great times over their presents. I did not think I would write so much when I commenced It is to dark in my tent to see the lines. I am yours as ever William

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