Confederate Letters

Courtesy of Jean Herrin Clinkscales

submitted by Gloria B. Mayfield, Rusk County Coordinator

Desark Ark

April the 17th 1862

Dear Father & Mother I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines to inform you that I am well at present and all of the rest of the Mess is well and have been well every since we got well of the Meesles we have all had them and got well of them

Jack Wall has got the Mumps but have not hurt him we are now here in desArk Arkansas and we have to dismount here and go to Memphis and there we will take the Rail Road at Memphis and go to Corinth there will be the big Battle they have been fighting for Some time and we have wiped them every time yet our Regiment was very much opposed to dismounting untill we got here and the General Said that it was impossible for us to get forage for our Horses and we concluded rather than disband and go home that we would dismount and take it afoot we will not be considered as Infantry and we will receive the Same wages that we did when we was Cavalry they could not have forced us to dismount but I thought rather than be disbanded and have to go home at this Season of the year I would try it afoot

although did not like to give up my horse mutch but our Country needs our assistance at the present and I expect to Serve my twelve months out Some way if I live if I cant get to Ride I will walk Our Horses will be sent Home there will be eight or ten men Detailed to take them home I dont no how long we will be dismounted perhaps we will be ordered to our Horses again in less than a month and we may go afoot untill our time is out I have nothing more at present to write to you I received your letters the one you Sent by Jack Jordan and the one you Sent by Adda Roaty which I was glad to Receive I was glad to here that you was all well I have written Several letters to you by male but I never have received ary one from

you by Mail I want you to write to me as ofen as you can I do not no where to tell you to direct your letters too I will write to you as often as I can give my Respects to all of my Neighbors and friends you must excuse my bad writing for I have to write on my nee I remain your affectionate Son untill Death

Henry Watson