U. S. Military Telegraph.

Oct. 31^st 1864

By Telegraph from Whiteside Tenn. 1864

 

To Dear Mother:

           Your letter was received day before yesterday, having made an unusually quick trip. The same mail brought me one from Frank dated 25^th Oct. As you see I "still live", & have not the remotest idea of being gobbled. Mr Hood is at present cutting up some queer shines. Yesterday at 4 P.M. he crossed the Tenn. at Florence Ala. making for the interior of the state. Tonight our communications are broken north of Huntsville & it is supposed, (that is by R B Lines Esq) that a lively time may be expected at Pulaski tomorrow. Stanley has gone from the front to stop him if possible. His command, the 4^th A.C. is passing through by railroad. Dispatch just now going over the line says the rebs are marching for Nashville. You have probably read all about the fight at Decatur the other day. While it was going on the opr there remarked / that a man was shot at the door of his office, & said he thought it was about time to "light out". I think I should have "lit". Nothing is stirring here, that is, at Whiteside, except the trains which thunder along every few minutes. Today the weather has been very beautiful & this evening I took a stroll towards the bridge, & to the mouth of a cave in the mountains. Saw nothing extraordinary but had a very nice walk & the scenery was so monastic. The dead mules were only a slight drawback to the festive scene. I should like to have staid another week but on the whole I think it better as it is. My health is good & am doing well. Dont know what my salary is exactly. Its either 100 or upwards. Shall see Henry in a week or so & shall probably run down & take a peek at the Gate City. Henry has / telegraphed me two or three times asking when I would be down. I'm sure I don't know where that $800 is coming from unless he can draw on his imagination for that amount. If I can assisst him, however, in getting it will do so to the extent of my pile. Your comb has been replaced & neither it nor the toothbrush are spared you may be sure. The reason I "sit up so late" is this: Whiteside is a station where trains are passing night & day; consequently the office must be kept open. There are two of us here & I get all the sleep I need. Yesterday I commenced keeping a diary also on acct. of all my expenses. Intend to keep it up till it becomes habitual. I answered that letter of Mariens & am waiting anxiously to hear from her 

 

Spose she'll "saur" on me with a vengeance. Georgie must be making a good deal of money on the janitor arrangement. My love to him & Auntie & Rossie. Will try & preserve my teeth to do as good execution the next time I go home as they did the last. I think I must have told you all the news and more. The morning breaketh, the rooster croweth, I must closeth.

                                                                        Your affectionate Son,

                                                                                    Robt B Lines

 

Direct care Tel. Office Chattanooga,

as I go to Resacca in a few days

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