Year: 1863

I'd of the 1st division,) is still stationed
on the bank of Stone River, near where
the Nashville & Murfreesboro Railroad
crosses. The health of the troops
in the field is excellent so far as my
knowledge extends. The Notifications
are being pushed to completion as fast
as possible, which work will be very
formidable when finished, and if prop
erly guarded willrequire large amount
of Southern Chivalry to capture them.
Some large siege guns have already
been mounted and others are on hand
for that purpose. Truly, Murfreesboro
and its suburbs is becoming little Chi


cago in comparison to what twas when
we drove out the Rebels. You can be
assured that Rosa" is not idle, but is
continually on the alert, and if the Sc
cesh "eucher" him it will not be for
want of vigilance on his part. The
army is in good spirits and feel conf
dent of success in case we attack or are
attacked, the latter, however, being pre-
ferable. You ask me what think of
matters and things in general, and also
what we think of the Copperheads in
the war. l suppose you mean by your
first question my opinion of the war or
the general feeling of the soldiers in re-
ference to its terminus. To which you
can have my humble opinion gratis, and
others as far as my knowledge extends.
Without any fire in the rear'' to en-
courage JEFF. Davis & Co. l believe the
death knell of the rebellion would be
sounded in less than three months, and
this seems to be the prevailing opinion.
The high prices and universal scarcity
of provisions 60 far to prove this.
Their unjust conscription act has caused
and is causing great dissatisfaction
among the poor laboring classes which
constitute the majority of white popu-
lation. The impressment of provisions
from families by the Confederate au-
thorities for their army is causing
low murmur like distant thunder, and
which will ere long break forth, and can
be no more stayed than the mighty ava
lanche. 1t may be six months hence,
but it must and will come soon. Such
tyranny can not always be tolerated,
and sooner or later if our Blockade con-
tinues efficient and our army meets
with any success the thing must dry up.
We learn from refugees and from other
sources that Bragg's army in front are
on half rations, and have had no beef
for some time; and you are aware that
this is the extent of their meat. One
thing more encourages the soldiers and
that is the aspect of our national finan-
ces of late. Surely we have kind
'aeighbors just noso across the "big
water. How natural it is to kick man
if he is in the "slough of despond,"
but if he raises his head and shoulders
above the crowd everybody is ready to
pat him on the shoulder and call him
good fellow. Another thing causes un-
available JOY among "Uncle Sans"
boys, and that is the Conscription Bill,
making every man with few honora-
BILE exceptions) subject to military duty.
This will be applicable to some extent
to your second question. No doubt
you think We soldiers are partial in our
views, but let that be as it may, we
have a great desire that an equal pro.
portion of "Copperheads' at least will
receive the benefit of this bill practi-
cally. Yes if our decimated ranks
were filled up with some of them /
think they could be taught to right
flank, file left, and march away to the
tune of Dixie" however fractions they
might seem at first. But to have our
choice we would prefer to have all such
in front with those that are out and out
Rebs." and we would treat them to
the same kind of rations that we do
the traitors of South Carolina and 9TH
er Southern States, and that's lots of
grape and canister. We believed when
we enlisted that the government need
ed our assistancs as we'll as that of
every other loyal citizen, to maintain
its honor and preserve inviolate its be-
Devolent institutions to be passed down
unimpaired to posterity. In acord,
we enlisted to fight traitors, Rebels, the
inveterate enemies of our government,
and We are willing to do it Gf need bel
wherever they may be found. But
says one, you must do it in a constitu-
tionaI aoay, you must keep by the " old
land marks" and deal gently with the
rebels whether you sink the ship or not.
Well, who ever saw rascal, an. unmit-