Camp Near Chattanooga Tenn July 10^th/63

Mr John R Northcutt

 

Dear Father I rit you a short letter a few days ago but I will rite a few more lines this leaves me well and hope it will find you all the same I supose Vixburg has fallen and 17 Thousand prisnors if it is so it is a heavey slam on us but lee is makeing it all up and Taylor and Maggruder will have Neworleans in a few days if they have not got it now the other day at a place ten miles above thar they captiord fiftey siege guns and then a later dispatch heavey fireing was heard at Neworleans I have not heard from Ed yet I hope he is not kiled tell Charlotte as quick as I hear from him I will rite and if any of you hear from him rite to me rite off I think we have the sorest Armey in the Confederace instead of fight / they are all ways runing us to death to keepe out of it I had rather take a twist with them than to be run to death without anything to eat Pap I have understoode that you was going to make up a Cavealry Company I think thear is men more able to take the field than you it is trew that we kneede all the men we can get at the same time we kneede men at home So I thing your sirvis will be worth more at home than it would be any whar ealse for you have a large familey and none thar now large a knuff to take charge of your things if you was to go off what would become of your things So think of it pap and content your sealf at home if you leave my studey would be about Mary and the childrien so stay pap for gods sake

your son as ever          E A Northcutt             rite to me soon

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