very many blessings, and deeply regretted that my stay with them was so short. I found my father's family all very well, and pa as cheerful and in as fine spirits as I ever saw him. West Tennessee, as you well know, is the garden spot of this little Confed; and the people, although they have been overrun, and had everything taken from them, are to-day more loyal than any other in our poverty-stricken country, and will do more for a soldier. I did not see any of your relatives while there, as I was not in that portion of the State. The people are all doing well, and have plenty to eat and wear, and seem confident of our final success. I think I have given you all the West Tennessee

news.

I will now try and interest you for a few moments about our army movements. I suppose you heard of the battle at Franklin, where the enemy was routed and driven from their breastworks, with a supposed loss, as near as we can learn, of four thousand killed and wounded. Preparations have been made here for transporting four thousand prisoners over this road to Corinth. Reports here to-day are that our troops occupy Nashville, the enemy falling back toward Bowling Green. Our loss in generals has been very heavy-two killed and six wounded. The details of the battle have not yet been received here. Our loss is supposed to be about sixteen hundred in killed and wounded. So you see the work goes bravely on, and if continued, our proud old Tennessee will once more be free. God grant it may! We now have possession of Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, Columbia, and are running the captured trains on the other side of the river. West Tennessee is clear of Yanks, with the exception of Memphis. My opinion, which is not worth much, is, that we will soon have peace.

My very kindest regards to my good friend O'Brien, and tell him I will write to him in a day or two. My respects/ to Mr. Smith. Write soon, and believe me, as ever, Your true friend and well wisher,

W. B. CHESTER.

MRS. S. E. D. SMITH:

Forsyth, Ga., September 13, 1864.

Esteemed Friend-Yours of the 1st inst. came to hand a few days ago. I assure you it was a very welcome visitor. I had lost sight of you entirely since your "skeedaddle" from Covington. I had no idea where you or your hospitals had located. I hope you have found a pleasant and agreeable place, and that you will never more be interrupted by Yankee intrusion. I am in the "rear" yet. I am at present acting adjutant for the post, under Captain Smith, a very excellent Kentucky gentleman. I have been before the Medical Examining Board, and obtained a certificate of disability for field service. I have been suffering a good deal for several days past with a severe cold, but I hope it will soon wear off. Otherwise, I am very well. I am sorry you have lost some of your particular friends in the several engagements since I left you. I, too, have lost some to whom I was very much attached. LieutenantColonel Dossen, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Tennessee, has been here since the 22d of July. He was shot through the face, but is nearly well. This has become quite a business place since the hospitals from Marietta and some from Atlanta came here. There are seven or eight in all. Everybody is amazed at Governor Browns dismissing his militia. The country is full of themreminding me of Mississippi after the release of the Vicksburg prisoners. I think they are heartily tired of

soldiering. Our cause looks gloomy indeed; but as my trust is in Him who doeth all things well, I am not despondent. I wish you much pleasure and real enjoyment in your new field of labor.

Very truly your friend,

J. E. RUFFIN.

Forsyth, Ga., July 16, 1864.

MRS. SMITH:

Esteemed Friend-Your very welcome letter came to hand in due time, but for the want of something to communicate, I deferred writing until the present. Even now, I have nothing at all of any interest. This place is entirely void of anything new or interesting, though it is a pleasant country village of less than one thousand inhabitants, and about a "meeting house full" of pretty ladies, who, by the way, are very kind to our sick and wounded soldiers. The Marietta hospitals, and the Gate City from Atlanta, are here now encamped around the town. A large number of badly wounded men came down with the Marietta hospitals. They were met at the depot by the ladies, and others, and refreshed with an abundance of delicacies and every comfort which kind hearts could suggest. They were furnished with rooms in the Clayton and Hardee until their quarters could be established. As they were brought up from the depot on their beds, I noticed that nearly every soldier had a lady's fan or parasol to protect himself from the sun and flies until he should get to a room. Even such small acts of kindness, from the hands of woman, are very encouraging to the wounded soldier among strangers. A cup of water given. in kindness loses not its reward, but gladdens many a friendless patriot's heart, and brings a tear to his eye as he

you

thinks of mother, sister, wife. What an enviable place hold in the hearts of the thousands who bless you for your motherly care. "Their children will rise up and call you blessed." But do not be so reckless of your own health and comfort, as you may thereby impair your usefulness. Is not the continued buoyancy of our men remarkable? I regard it as an unfailing omen of success. It is stated that on the retreat from Kennesaw, there was but one man in Cheatham's Division who could not be accounted for. When it is remembered that the enemy's works were only a few yards from our own, such an example of discipline and good order will be looked for in vain in any army or any country.

I have improved some, and I think I will try the front again before a great while. I received O'Brien's letter the other day. It was quite a treat. I have never had a line from Chester. Hoping I may have the pleasure of hearing from you again soon, I will stop for the present.

Yours, faithfully,

J. E. RUFFIN.

MRS. S. E. D. SMITH:

Talladega, Ala., September 7, 1864.

Esteemed Friend-If you only knew how greatly rejoiced I was on yesterday at the reception of your very kind and highly appreciated letter, coming as it did from one who was a true picture of kindness and affection to the poor sick and wounded of our bleeding country, who were so fortunate as to be placed under your motherly hand. It surely was a very great pleasure to me, who was classed among the few fortunate. I feel that I can never be able to repay you. You were as kind and attentive as if I had been your own dear son; and so long as time shall last, I

assure you that I will never forget you, and will ever cherish a warm affection for you. To see your smiling, motherly face approach my room while confined in the hospital, would dispel all sad feelings, and throw a halo of light around the gloomy rooms of the hospital. May God keep you always under the shadow of His wing, is the prayer of your grateful friend.

I arrived here on the seventh day after I left you at Covington. I found all the members of our company here, and looking very anxiously for me, fearing I had been captured, as they had heard of the raid on Covington. I have a very pleasant position, and am associated with some very nice gentlemen, which will, in a great measure, assist in making my time pass off pleasantly. I have received my commission from Richmond as provost marshal.

I hope you will not think hard of my not writing to you sooner. Having your promise to write to me and let me know where you were, I have deferred writing, hoping and expecting every day to hear from you. You write me that poor Gus Flotron was killed, for which I am truly sorry, and I told and warned him about his daring bravery. Poor fellow; I hope he was prepared to meet his God! What has become of our little pet, O'Brien? Hope you have heard from him ere this. If he is with you, tell him I would like to hear from him. Hamner, I hope, has entirely recovered, and is with his regiment. I wrote him sometime since, but have not heard from him yet. I was truly glad to hear that you had met with kind friends and people who can appreciate your true patriotism. May you always meet with kind friends wherever you go. I have no news to write worthy of your notice. With my very best regards to Drs. Robertson, Caldwell, Doyle, Parsons, Flanagan, Dismukes and Blind John, I remain, as ever,

Your true friend,

W. B. CHESTER.