The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-05-16

slow a coach" as Grant. What they make by coming over to us can't see as we imprison them and keep them in durance vile during the war.
 think if we win this great battle now pending the end of the war is near at hand. If we are defeated # will prolong it probably for years. The Yankees know full we'll if they don't succeed la the coming campaign they might as well hang up their fiddies."
 There Is no news of interest in camp. heard from William a day or two ago. He was very well. Do write soon. I have not heard from you since John came back. Love to all at home.
 Your Bro. Thomas.
 THE LAST LETTER,
 END NOT FAR aFF- / In Trenches, near Drury's Bluff. Jan. IS, 1885. Dear Mary:
 have within the past ten days had three letters from you dated respect lively Dec. 14th. goth and 2eth--the last of which was written from the residence of Mir Rast with view of sending it by an old hospital rat be- longing to Go. "H'' by name of -. suppose by your mailing 1t that the aforesaid gent concluded to remain . while longer at home. hoping in the meantime that Sherman would SO ef- fectually cut our railroad communica- tion with the South as to preclude him from ever returning to Virginia ngain. I have written you often of late but you do not mention the re- ception of any of my letters Surely some of the persons to whom en- truefAd n ra TT fhar1 @n h1p Afs- posed of them as I directed.s If so know you must have some of them ere now. Irene I presume has Ignored my existence I have written her sew eral times since the walIoping we got in the valley and yet she won't reply Well, presume she has written but that played outr institution. the Con- federate States mail. has thus far fail- ed to "come up to time" and in con- sequencA I am minus my letters.
 have from the beginning of the war thought that there did not exist doubt of the south finally achieving its independence. That feeling is yet part of my nature. but at times I confess that entertain sore misgiv- | ings. I at one time thought 1t im- possible for an army of the enemy to | exist a dny in the heart of our coun- | try, but time has dispelied that illu- sion as it has many others of a like l character.
 The successful, and may say un- | opposed march of Sherman through Georgia. and the complete defeat of Hood in Tennessee, have changed the l whole aspect of affairs. These two | events in my opinion will necessitats the early evacuation of Richmond in order that the whole forces of the | Confederacy may be concentrated to meet Sherman. who in 6 very short time will, unless thwarted, be In com plete possession of the only railroad upon which we have to depend for our supplies. I think we will prob- ably fall back to some point in North Carolina, the Roanoke river, probably and make that our line. This event will not by any means be cause of despondency on our part for feel | assured if there Is such a thing as justice in our cause that we will and must succeed. It may take years oi to accomplish so desirable consum- mation. but if we are true to ourselves we will terminate the war gloriously | aOur Division occupies a part of ths line near Drury's Blun and are con. fronting the troops of ex-General Pic. ayune Butler. Only one brigade at q time are in the trenches, the rest re. maining in quarters some four miles distant. We will tomorrow be re, lieved and our places supplied by thu brigade of General Cox.
 You may say to Clayton that ther, is no sort of danger of his having ts encounter the smell of villainou saltpetre" on the battlefield. Hi duty is to remain at home." and
 hope he will have the sense to do so 1 had letter from William a shor time ago. He was quite well at thu time he wrote. will endeavor tc Il write Maria as soon as we are paid | off so that I can get some paper. will not be able to get a furlougt this winter. may perhaps get ons In the spring. never hear anything from the boys in Fields Division. wrote Willie Dunklin a note a few days ago, but have had no reply yet shall expect him over here in a short time. Willie Dunklin, the Rasi boys and Small Jeems Buford are | well. Big Jim and his partner fed Pierce are yet in the hospital.
 ] Your brother. Thomas.