Camp of 31^st Regt Ind Vol

on Cripple Creek Tennessee

April the 30^th 1865

 

Mr. Barton

W S Dooley

                                    Sir I seat my self to answer your kind letter which I received some weeks ago and through neglect I have not answered. I have no excuse only that I did not sit down and begin but if you will excuse me I will never do so any more. We are seeing fine times we have got our Camp fixed off with sedars till it looks very nice we are in Camp on a high hill with a good view of the surrounding Country which is a beautiful scen. But I fear that we will have to climb out of here some morning and fall back to the main body of the Army as we are six mules in advance of it there is one Brigade four miles in advance of us so as if we are attacted so as to hinder them as long as possible before they reach the main body but let them come they will have a green stump to run against and a larger force to contend with than they had to when the fight of stone River come off our Army has increased a right smart with men comming up from Hospitals I do not know how many strong / we are now but we are several thousand stronger. they will have to bring from 3 to 5 to our one for to drive us out of our fortifications for we have fortifications to all extent and it dont make any difference which way they come they are made so as to front four ways and to charge them is impossible for there is deep ditch dug out side of them and if they get in that they will have to have ladders to get out And if they cut off our suplies we have enough at this place to do for several months untill we can get reenforcements.

 

Well I suppose you are seeing fine times Bart wrote you a letter to come to the Army but now I advise you to keep out of it if you can for I think it will soon be over and then it will be for one to be at home than in the Army When you write to me you must tell me how Laura P is getting a long for I heard you was going in over there very strong give her my love and compliments and also to all others that may inquire about me Bart I have a notion to write to Hariet Ellen but I am afraid that she would not write to me like some others Mary Ann for instance I wrote her a letter and never received an answer I will close as tip is going to write some give my love to all the family and keep a portion for your self so no more

from your friend H. B. Cord

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