---

Since the last letter Confederate forces under General Loring had taken Charleston in early September; Loring then refused to cooperate with R. E. Lee and instead of pressing on the Ohio River had remained in Charleston before marching his troops back to Lewisburg in October. For this offence he was sacked and replaced by General Echols, who promptly ordered a return to Charleston. William Alexander Smith reports that the 50th Virginia, exhausted after 200 miles of marching across mountainous terrain, is plagued by disease and desertions. Matters were about to get worse: almost immediately after this letter was written the 50th retreated by forced marches all the way back to Camp Narrows in Virginia, arriving 4 November.

---

This being the first opportunity I have had for some time, I will answer your letters of the 12th and 15th last. That of the 15th was received four days after it was written. We were then near Fayette C. H. I guess you will be a little surprised to learn that we are again below Charleston. We left here through mistake. Gen. Loring was ordered to report himself at Richmond. He took it for granted that his army was ordered there, and consequently moved it off as speedily as possible. A nice mistake indeed for a Major General to make. We marched nearly 100 miles before we were turned back. And since the 8th of this month we have marched nearly 200 miles, Yand all for no purpose whatever.

You may guess we are tired down. A great many of our men are sick, principally with diarahaea and vomiting. Since we turned back there have been a great many desertions. Since we left here this army has lost about 1,000 men by sickness and desertion. I mean disabled by sickness. It is thought Carter Goad, Wm Quinn, and Oliver Marshall have deserted our company. I was sick two or three days and had to ride on a wagon, but am now well. Jimmy is tolerably well. Isaac Smith, John Sutphin, and Billy Gray have been unwell but are now better. Amos Gallemore is quite sick; we sent him to the hospital at the Red Sulphur Springs, when we turned back.

We are camped about three miles below Charleston on the south side of the river. As yet I have learned but little of the enemy. Some say they are advancing, but I don’t believe it; neither do I believe they will trouble us here soon.

I think you are all getting on very well with your work, and especially with your molasses making. Let me advise you to be very careful of every thing you have in the way of provisions. Every thing is very scarce in all this N. W. country, and a great many families are moving out. Be careful to store away your provisions where it will not be stolen from you. Tell Doc. and Sis I will answer their letters in a day or two. I sent some money to Pa by letter; tell him to let me know if he has received it. I must close; write often.

≪ PREV

NEXT ≫