Camp near Camden Arks

July 1^st 1864

 

Dear Mary

                        I intended writing by Hammy, but I was very busy during his stay in Camden and I was unable to go to town until he had left. I was in town last Wednesday saw Mrs King and Maj Lattimer, who are both living there. Mrs King has a comfortable house and appears to be doing very well, but Camden now, owing to its being the Hd Qrs of the Army is an unpleasant place for a family. Maj Lattimer says that Theodore Horner's family have the small pox. There had been no deaths when he last heard from them. Genl Tappan saw Phi Littell yesterday, who has recently been a prisoner in Helena. He says Tom Casteel, Bob Casteel, Jack Thompson, Tom Quarles and Charley Coolidge are all prisoners there, also Charley Sebastian. Mrs Sebastian is dead. Just before her death she called her family around her to take leave of them. She told Charley to be exchanged and be a man, that he must go back to the Army and fight for his country. Dick Baldwin was killed near his mother's plantation. The Federals took some articles from his person and showed them to his mother, telling her that his body was in the woods and she could / bury it if she wished. Arthur Thompson has married Miss Bohannen. Dr Grant has courted Miss Maggie Moore six times. Dr Hargraves & Col Moore are in the drug business, Ed Porter clerking for them. All his property has been confiscated. Sadie Alexander is teaching school in town. Florence stays at Mrs M^cAnutty's. Mary Mooney is teaching near Sterling. Mrs Butler is dead. Northern papers have been received in Camden as late as the 25^th. Everything is still hopeful. Butler had been disasterously defeated in attempting to cut the Petersburg & Richmond railroad. Grant's army was in front of Petersburg throwing up lines paralel to our fortifications. Gold had gone up to 216 in New York being an advance of 20 per cent in 10 days. This is the best index of their probable success in Virginia and Georgia. When they are successful gold declines, when unsuccessful it rises. Shelby captured a gun boat on White river near Clarendon. Green captured a transport on Arks river, 400 prisoners and killed and wounded 40. The bush whackers are reported to have taken the country on Missouri river. Morgan was reported fighting at Frankfort Ky and was recruiting rapidly. Six regiments have left Little Rock to reinforce Smith who is said to be afraid to move out of Memphis, on account of Forest's proximity. The news from all quarters is exceedingly cheerful. Vallandingham has returned to Ohio and in a speech at Hamilton he defies Lincoln to remove him. / His friends were enthusiastic in his reception and I do not think Lincoln will measure strength with him unless Grant should be successful. Grant has evidently been foiled in his plans and now as a last resort has moved on Petersburg. He will sacrifice his army or take Richmond, and while I have every confidence in Lee's ability to defend Richmond, yet Grant has a large army and he will not hesitate to sacrifice his men. We have yet a desperate struggle before us there. Grant has said he would take it by the 4^th of this month and we may soon expect to hear of bloody battles being fought, such as have never been fought before in this war.

 

Tell the children that they must study their books and learn fast, that I want to find when I come to see them again, that they have been very smart. I presume the weather has been too warm for Miss Virginia to take any more run away rides on Nelly. She is certainly getting along rapidly and if she will only learn her books as fast as she is learning to ride [?] will be very proud of her. I am glad Selina is running around. I have seen Mr Thibault several times. He is in town with Col Shaver. I should have known him by his resemblance to his sister. He will have a pleasant time while Col Shaver is in Camden. I wish I had some of your ice and clabber for dinner. We live pretty hard now. I would be glad to be moving although the weather is hot. I had rather be / moving than remaining idle in Camp. I suppose when we do commence, we will become tired of moving. Nothing would now satisfy except peace. I think I would be happy if I could only get to work once more for my family. If Richmond should fall I fear another generation will have to settle this war. I will expect not to live to see it ended.

 

Give my love to all. Kiss the children for me. Write frequently, as your letters seem to be very few.

 

Yr affectionate brother

Jo

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