The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-28

Letfers of . Confederate Soldier. Davis. Ford near Manassas Junction Feb. 14.. 1862. Your most welcome letter, in an- swer to mine of January 10th has been received You can't imagine how
 much pleasure your letters afford me ---and all the boys from home too--and find myself anxiously looking forward to their coming; I know about what time they should arrive. and then be- gin to count the hours!
 Brother Billie was greatly delight ed over a letter from sister Matilda; | I believe he Is or duty and busy an-
 swering it now.
 when wrote father last week I {and some of the others) was quite sick with dysentery; we are better. but very weak and have lost much fiesh. Our whole regiment has been an1icted with this disease. but all are slowly recovering.
 A great many of our regiment l6th Ala.) have re-enlisted for two years
 more under the Act of Congress; but you need not be uneasy about me; if I am living, I will come home when
 my time expires! But I may not be
 living, Bear that in mind! No one
 knows what the future has in storei I have three months yet to serve my country, of my present enlistment, during this time, may fall from
 disease or be killed in battle. You
 must remember that my regiment is
 on the advance post here, that we hold one of the most important posi- tions in, Virginia; our enemy realize
 this and may. advance on us any mos fnent--on his way ITO Richmond" that seems to be their cryl But we intend to fight--nor do we intend to be defeated! In all wars. and In every battle, some on both sides must fall: I may be among the number: hold this in mind! Should It be so, hope were when I marched away to vir- ginia, God. Our Father will be your friend then. .tas in times past" My prayer is: Q, My God. grant that I
 may once more see my dear ones, in
 health and happiness.
 | You have no doubt heard of our de-
 feat in North Carolina--it vas ac-l
 complished by oyerpowering, nunibers.r We. cannot. reasonably. expect to- be
 victorious iHeevery battle and our de- feats prove a blessing to our country making us know our weak places: 1t may cause an adjustment of our disputes and close of the Killing of Americans by Americans.
 Already the effect of this defeat on
 the Virginia army Is net te iiscour-
 rage the soldiers, but to make him
 resolved to light the Yanks--if light he must--with redoubied energy. It
 will cause many to re-enlist. If you have not heard the news. will ex- plain that the defeat" to which I alluded is the defeat of Wise on Roanoke Island N. C., also under stand that fleet of LincoIn's hire- iings made their way down the Ten
 neesee River in gunboats and are preparing for invasion of Alabama
 hope that those who have stayed at home and are saying they swiif go when needed" will now see that
 thete really Is q, need" for every patriot to do his duty.
 These war troubles and the camp
 ire make me think of the bright home fireside, and long to be theret
 But when I realize that all the en- ergy of my glorious country Is going to be drained before this war is over; and realize also that I have sacri- feed my little fortune and do and shall suffer many hardships 1t is the only thing a patriot can do--just lay his "all" on the altar of his country! For the freedom of my land. my peo- pie. my own. I would eveA dare to dieI
 We hear every day that we will soon see bonio OI InS 6oVeTnmenIb
 money. we need 1t bad; for the army ration Is nothing but beef and bis- suits" we crave molasses. sugar. cof- fee and other things to which we have been accu stomed--we especially crave butter and milk; these things we will have to pay for out of our own pockets--and the home supply of
 money Is running shorts My time is out June lst: save the chick ems. And the eggsH You girls may prepare to give our boys a party--that means; lots to eati' So, go to raising chick ems and getting things togetheri
 Give love to all the people for us all Just hand this letter around among all the folks.
 Yours Devotedly,-T. SIT