The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-04-18

Thomas Caftey, the writer of these letters, was. at the time of their writ- ing a young soldier serving In the Confederate Army in Virginia. He was outbreak of the war. but volunteered in the Metropolitan Guards. Mont gomery company. The letters were written home to members of his family living in Lswndes and Montgomery Counties.
 OVER THE MOUNTAINS
 WITH THE FOOT CAVALRY. |. < g Gordonsville. Nov. 2s. 1882. a- The corps of General Jackson is now within sixty miles of the City of Richmond, but have no idea what our destination will be when we again move. Today one week ago we left camp at MfddIetown near Winchester and reached Gorionsvilie in five days, having made ninety-five miles in that time For rapidity that march has no parallel in the history of this war. nor do I suppose that any troops ever suffered more in the same length of time. a HSsk
 The weather was so cold when we crossed the mountains that the ground was frozen under us where we lay and as for rations. they were furnished in such meagre quantities that we were really suffering with hunger nearly the whole time. This morning is the first time in five days that have had my appetite perfectly squinched. but as we are now near Richmond I hope the commissaries will De able to furn- fsh all the government allows its sol- diers. Upon the whols. I stood the trip dnelv and Ind that walk of twenty or thirty miles per day is . very small affair in the experience of . "bould sojer boy" Hoop and John. when we arrived here last Tuesday. were little footsore. but both are all right now. and ready for another 1t is the impression among the men that Jackson's Foot Cavalry" are on the way to Fredericksburg for the purpose of reinforcing General Lee. Burnside. the Yankee general. 1t is now pretty well ascertained. wilt make by way of the above named city and the Potomac and Alexandria Railroad. and think 1t is the intention of Lee to dght him as far from our Capital as possible Jackson's corps consists of the divisions of Generals Ambrose P. Hiii. Jubal A. Early. James Eweil. Daniel H. Hill and David F. Jones. consisting in the aggregate of 6s.oon man--and these added to General Long- streets corps. will be sufficient, in my opinion to whip any Yankee force oD this side of the Potomac.
 The Valley of the Shenandoah we left in such a condition the enemy will have no desire to occupy 1t for a long time to come :. Some of the finest rail- ! roads I ever saw are as completely de- stroyed as anything possibly could be < by the hands of man. and thN country left with only provisions enough to sustain life till a new crop can be made. Most of the niggers have been stolen long ago by the Tanks" and what stock they failed finding we brought of with us. The Valley, one of the finest portions of Virginia. is now almost a desert and twenty years of uninterrupted peace would not re- store 1t to the prosperity 1t enjoyed be- fore the beginning of this war. CAMPAIGN FOR THE
 WINTER MAY FEE OVER. It may be that the campaign for the winter is ended. hope so. at least. but as the Republican Party are aware that 1.-the Sc utis-@is- ever 1b5ugated-it must be this winter or spring. their leaders will probably force Burnside to enter into a winter campaign. If he does, we will be kept busy all the. time and suffer as no men ever did before. How did you enjoy your Marietta trip? Has Beauty returned to Texas yet7 He could so to Manassas now as the "Yanks" have sioped from that To- cality. When you write. direct as usu. al to Richmond Let he hear from you soon. Love to all at home.
 Your brother.
 Thomas.
 NEAR US TO-DAY
 XII.
 Confederate States of America.
 Fredericksburg. Dec. IF. ises. Dear Ma: .
 The clothing you sent me came to