Confederate Letters

Courtesy of Jean Herrin Clinkscales

submitted by Gloria B. Mayfield, Rusk Co. Coordinator

Camp near

Brandon Miss

Dec the 8th 1863

Dear Sister Catherine

I received your kind letter dated Nov 20th I was glad to hear that you all well but the Sad news of Brother Jacks Death grieved me very much the thought of loosing So kind and affectionate Friend as he was grieves my heart but I hope he is better off he is out of the troubles and hard Ships of this troubled World and I hope he is gone to a better one

We built houses at Meridian Miss for winter qua and about we get them finished our houses we received orders to come to Brandon but I do not no what the move was for we understood that the yankies were a crossing Big Black River in a large

force I guess we will go back to our houses as Soon as we drive the yanks back across the Big Blck

I do not no any War news as we understood that Gen Bragg got a whipping a few days ago in Tenn I have not heard anything from Conrad and Jack Wall for Some time I am looking for a letter from them every day the last time I heard from them they were both a getting well tell Mrs Wall and Amanda that Conrad and Jack is a getting well ....(a full line of writing scratched out).... that this is a going home is a going to Start the man in a few minutes and hardly have time to write this letter

His name is thomas Turman he lives in wood County you can write to me by Lieut Gresham of our Co he Started to home the Same morning we got here and I did not have time to write by him he lives near the camp ground over the River he will be at

Carthage before he Starts back tell Bellson Smith that I got a letter from ER Smith a few days ago he wrote that he is well he is at Marietta GA at the hospital he has been there for Some time he went there Sick by is well at present Bell wanted to no what Brigade and Division he belong to I wrote to him yesterday I wrote him all of the news and also to write what Brigade & Division he belong to

I am glad to hear that the folks is all a getting Religion I am in hopes they will hold out faithful I would like very mutch to See you all but I see no probability of getting to come Soon they will not grant any more Furlows in our Co unless Newt Fite comes back and we dont expect him back any more I want you all to write as often as you can I have written all of the news I no give my love and Respects to Ma and Pa and all of the children and also give my Respects to all enquiring friends

I wish I had time to write Several Letters to my friends but Mr Turman is a going to start in a few mins and I have to close my letter I hope you will excuse all my mistakes also my bad writing and Spelling So nothing more at present I remain yours as ever untill Death

H. Watson

Henry Watson