On Marching To Meet The Yankees

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005

A 4pp. 8vo., ink inscribed letter date lined: Camp 18th Ala. Rt. Near Wartrace, Tenn., June 3, 1863 to his wife, reading, in part: "…Brother Washington…is Surgeon of the 25th La regiment which rgt. left this place for Vicksburg while we were at Allisonia…it seems that Providence has smiled on us once more and I hope he will continue to smile until the Yankees are…whipped…our entire Army moved to the front this morning with two day rations…I…was left in command of the encampment of the 18th Ala. Our regiment left very early in the rain after a very heavy rain last night. They seemed very cheerful and will make a good fight…our brigade sent back after all their litters and hospital wagons…the enemy is advancing on us…he will be whipped very soon…we have as many men as the enemy has, and all we want is for them to come out and give us a chance. I am not anxious to be in a fight but would hate very much to have my company go in action without me…the army will either fight or return in two days as they only have two days ration and no cooking utensils with them…I sent my boy out after something to eat this morning. He succeeded in getting me one lb. of butter and 3 doz. eggs…we could live a little better than we do but my mess will not consent to pay for extras and consequently we will have to eat what we can get from other sources. We will know how to appreciate home when we get there and will be very apt to stay there if we are not driven from them by our wives. I think I would be a mighty clever fellow before I would have my wife to run me away. I am not afraid of this…I don't know what I would do if I did not have your picture and could not hear from you. You seem to be inclined to stay at Macon. If the Yanks get there I can't stand this…they would be rather hard with you as you have a brother in the army and a husband in command of a company. They would soon learn these things and be more insulting than they would be otherwise and then I could not hear from you or have you come to see me if I should get sick or wounded…from your affect husband - Simon…". VG

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