The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-05-09

ten by Thomas Caney, memDer or tho Metropolitan Guards. a Montgomery company, which formed part of the srd Alabama in the great war. The writer a young lawyer In Montgomery at the outbreak of the war. volunteered and went to the front at a private. The simple. and yet eloquent letters. were written from soldiers camp NtR front of the enemy to relatives in Ala- bamas / THE HARD SERVICE OF
 THE srd ALABAMA.
 Morton's Ford on Rapidan River.
 November 19. 1868. Dear Mary:
 Some days ago Itreceived two letters from you, one by mall and the other per Hugh Hardy. but as wrote Ma the same day, l did not deem 1t necessary to answer them for some days. In an- swer to your question in regard to colthing, have to say that at present am in need of nothing. The pair of pants Ma made me last spring l have not worn since my return to the army and as they are in good state of pres ervation they will do me for some time to come. My Jacket, Is good and will suffice till spring.
 Underclothing am not at,present in need of. but if Jule Rast returns by January, he can, if convenient. bring me a dark cotton shirt and one pair of pants. My hat is getting somewhat diiapidated. and if the material can be had I would be pleased if youSwould make me one like the one Aunt Lizzie made for Billy when he was at home. l don't want a regular hoosier concern but a. real nice one that will do to wear anywhere. The articles Ma sent by Hugh Hardy were delivered me af- ter my letter, to her was written. and I want you to express my thanks to her for the same. particularly the over shirt. The flannel shirt I have but It, tie use for as don't ever intend wear ing one next to my hide again. If Juls Rast comes on by January that will be time enough to send me the pants and hat. If I need anything else you shall know. It might be as well. however. to include good warm jacket among the above articles.
 II have slept but little some nights past. The 3rd Alabama has seen more hard service tites past twot wSeksa than 1t ever has since its organization De- fore and in consequence the men are pretty well worn down. Gs
 Company F. last week, spent two days at Mitcheips Ford. which is some miles from our extreme right. on pick" et in the worst weather ever saw. and as soon as we regained camp the whole command was put to work throwing up fortihca4tions from Nor. toms Ford to Verderevilles a distance of eight miles. Our regiment finished its proportion of the work last night at 3 o'clock and feel safe in assert ing that if the "Yanks" attempt to dis lodge us from our position the disas- ter to them will be greater than It was at Fredericksburg last year. Our works are of the strongest character. and all hands pray that the rascals may come, as we feel the utmost conh- dence in our ability to whip them clean out of Virginia.
 Picket duty is not very funny just about now for the reason that fellow has to keep his eyes open to keep from being shot. We have picket firing daily but very seldom any casualties occur. If a fellow on either side pokes his head out from behind rock or tree, bang goes a gun, which causes him 70 withdraw his carcass from observation fin a hurry. shot at two rascals on horseback Sunday, but could not tell with what effect as they made about the fastest time on record" getting away from the river. They do not ven- ture very near the river now, but the boys shoot at them anyhow, when they come in view. It is the impression that there will be no fight this winter. l hope the impression may be correct as want a winter of quiet, if possible.
 I am very we'll John and Billy do Lying Jeems-and Little Jimmy" are doing "bully."f Have had no letter from William since was at Warren ton, Fauauier County. the 14th of oc, tober last. what has become of himf 1t is strange he don't answer the half dozen letters have written him.
 PAPER GETTING SCARCE
 WITH THE SOLDIERS.
 I am afraid I will not be able to write you as often now as could wish on account of the scarcity of paper, II is almost impossible now 10 procure any at all. and what little we do get we have almost fabulous prices to pay One package of envelopes costs from S4 to S5 and one sheet A of paper 25 cents, and ink can't be got at all. The boys manufacture almost all used in camp, The total cost of letter now Is half a dollar. which is quite e tax when 1t is taken into consideration that Sla per month Is the sum total of a private's pay. Occasionally we get stamps from some sutlers but most CT us frank our letters.
 Preaching In camp has about play ed, out" We got into a little ~gtow with the Tanks" few days ago and our parson, deeming, no doubt. that discretion was the better part of val- or" took to his heels when the shells commenced flying and I have not seen him since. In a late paper at Tuskegee he stated the morals of the Srd Ala bama were far behind It's reputation. ii is his place to improve them and teach the boys how to die in Chris tian like manner. Yet in the first sp- pearance of danger he ran away. Give my love to all.
 Your brother.
 Thomas.
 P. s-Paul Rast being exchanged l suppose he will be here shortly. The things I wrote you about in my last as being lost have been found and returned to me. If'I get a chance l win send them home for safe keeping. The hat Ed Pierce has his mother says belongs to Johnnie. That Is dratted unlucky hat anyhow. It has since 1t was brought to Virginia had half dog en owners, and the real one Is yet un- known. How Is Maria getting along2 | have been wanting to write to her A long time but don't know how to begin. That I have not done so long ago is not because l do not feel for her and her little boys. l love her as a sister but am afraid to write her for the reason that I am such Q