 |
|
|
|
|
Shell Mound, Tenn. May 3rd, 1864 Dear Parents; I take this opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know that we are on the tramp once more. We are now camped for the night about 10 miles from Bridgeport. We are on the road for Chatanooga, The same road the regiment traveled once before when we first went through to Lookout Valley. The rumor is that we are going to stop at our old camp around Lookout Valley, but we don't know that for sure. We left Stevenson on Monday morning and camped in Bridgeport, so we all left this morning together, crossed over into Tennessee, and after marching about 10 miles we are at a place called Shell Mound. There isn't a house in sight. There is a hole in the mountain called Nickajack cave. This cave is where the Rebels used to get all of their salt petre. We are camped near the mouth of the cave. I just went into it for about a half mile, and I'll tell you what, its an awful big hole in the ground. There is a small river running through it. Anyone can go for several miles in it with a boat. The regiment now numbers more than any other time since we left Bolivar Heights. I think we number around 500 now. We havn't marched but around 10 miles a day but some of the new recruits think we have marched awful hard. Wait until we measure off about 25 or 30 and they will wish they hadn't taken the bounty. The troops that relieved us at Stevenson was a veteran regiment that has been out nearly three years, but have been guarding the railroad all the time. I should think it was about time they smelled powder. I don't know if I will get a chance to mail this letter or not, but I will try. I shall have to quit writing Kase it's half past eight and the drums have just sounded taps, which means "lights Out". Oliver |
|
|
