with my new home, and there are more pretty girls than I ever saw, so I will have a fine time. Give my compliments to Mr. Wolley, Arkansas and Betts. I heard that Hogan died after we left. Mrs. Gustine and Amos join me in love and good wishes to you, and Mrs. Levey, and Miss Harper. God bless all the pretty girls of Covington is the prayer of a Rebel soldier. Very respectfully, B. F. WILKS, Sixth Texas Regiment. GRANDMA: Head-Quarters Polk's Wing, En route for Chattanooga, Sept. 22, 1863. My Dear Friend-Your letter reached me on the 20th, about five o'clock P. M., just as we were preparing to make the last attack on the enemy's works, and which surpassed our most sanguine expectations, for we completely routed them, and the cover of night only saved old Rosecrans' army from entire annihilation. But I have neither time nor paper to give you an account of the two days' hard fighting, and my object in writing this is only to let you know that your son James is well and hearty, and that he was the last man to leave the battery when it was taken by the Yankees. The enemy took Carnes' Battery early in the action, but it was retaken late in the day. Waynsburg is all right. The old company had twelve men wounded-among whom was Howard, Botts, Beazly, Leach, Williams, John Jones, Anderson, and I forget who else. I am all safe, as you see, thanks to the protecting wing of the Almighty Father above. Colonel Richmond, of our staff, was killed. Our loss is heavy in wounded, but very small in killed. We have every reason to thank the Almighty for this new victory, and I hope everybody will do so. When we get to Chattanooga, I will let you Your friend, hear from me again. MRS. SMITH: FRED. Hill Hospital, April 18, 1864. you I owe my My more than Mother-To life. Pardon my seeming coldness toward you for the last three or four days. It was foreign to my mind to treat a lady who has been so kind and indulgent to me with disrespect. As far back as I can remember I have been attacked with these dark and gloomy spells. Pardon me if you can. Your obedient servant, LIEUT. J. B. O'BRIEN. MRS. S. E. D. SMITH: My Very Dear Friend-Circumstances suddenly sever my connection with the hospital. I may not be able to see you before leaving, but the friendship I bear to you, born of your kindness, will never abate by the stretch of distance, or the lapse of time. Remember me kindly to Hobson, Texas and Mississippi. Lieutenant Lewellen will return the book; many thanks for the use of it. I leave in haste. Your friend, CAPT. W. G. STARR. DEAR GRANDMA: City Hall Hospital, Macon, Ga., October 22, 1864. It is with unfeigned pleasure that I now resume my pen to drop you a few lines informing you of my increasing good fortune. Day before yesterday I received orders from Dr. Stout to report for duty at this post. I left Opelika yesterday, and arrived here this morning, when I proceeded to report to the surgeon of the post, who assigned me to duty as druggist. I have an old physician for my assistant, a negro boy to wait upon me, a good room well furnished, gas light to read and write by, and good fare. Imagine my surprise to find little Wood, of our company, nursing here. He did not know me until I told him my name and where I belonged. Grandma, I believe that it is owing to yours and my mother's prayers that I am thus fortunate. Will you continue to pray for my success? It is useless to ask that question, for I feel assured that you will; and, dear grandma, will you pray that I may live to cheer my mother's declining years? You cannot imagine how dear she has become to me since I have lost her. It is now nearly three years since I have seen her, and almost a year since I have heard from her. My heart misgives me when I think that I no longer have a mother; but God grant that my fears may prove groundless. I have written letter after letter to Memphis, and still no answer comes. Surely, they cannot all be dead. This is all that mars my happiness. If I could feel assured of their safety and well-doing, I would be as happy as the day is long. I would be content to suffer all that man may suffer, provided they could be spared all unhappiness. How few of us know the true value of a mother until we have lost her, and then every gentle smile and kind word that she ever gave us comes up like a reproachful spirit, censuring us for not lavishing all the kindness and devotion in our power upon her while she was spared to us. If God only spares my mother to me, a lifetime of devotion and care would hardly repay her for her tender care of me in bygone days. Write to me soon, dear grandma. May God bless you, is the sincere prayer of Your loving friend, L ALEXANDER F. S. MRS. SMITH: Hill Hospital, January 26, 1864. I fell grateful to you for a fine pair of socks left under my pillow. I have learned to appreciate the kind work of our noble spirited women. I hope you will accept my sincere thanks in return. Respectfully, your friend, TIMOTHY CONWAY. Camp 154th Senior Tennessee Regiment, MRS. S. E. D. SMITH: Highly Esteemed Friend—It is with unfeigned pleasure that I address myself to the pleasing task of writing you a few lines. I should have written before this, but have been waiting for you to write. You must excuse my short and imperfect letter, as I am so unused to writing that it is quite a task for me to write, particularly a letter to one of your sex; but let it be ever so lame, I know you will appreciate it, and pass all my imperfections by. Since you last heard from me I have had quite a pleasant time. I went within seven miles of Memphis, and could have gone into the Federal lines, but was afraid to risk the Yanks. I spent the greater part of my furlough in Mississippi and Alabama. All along my route I enquired for you, but could learn nothing of your whereabouts until I returned to the regiment. When I learned that you were at Covington, I regretted it very much, as I was within sixteen. miles of you, and would have been very happy to have paid you a visit. I learn from the boys that you have a very nice place, with some very fine young ladies staying with you. You may rest assured that if I am so fortunate as to get a furlough this summer, I shall be more than happy to call upon you. We are all in momentary expectation of being called out to the front. The Yankees advanced to Tunnel Hill this morning, and there was some skirmishing; but I learn that they have gone back. We have no news of a definite character in regard to the movements of the Federals; but this much I am sure of, we are prepared to give them a warm reception whenever they may choose to come. I do not think there is any army in the Confederacy in a better fighting condition than this. Dr. Samuels, one of your Overton Hospital friends, joined this company about a month ago, and is now with us. I have told you all I know, and must now close for want of something else to write. Hoping soon to hear from you, I beg leave to remain, as ever, Your devoted friend, CHAS. HOWARD, Company D, 154th Senior Reg't Tenn. Vols. Head-Quarters Army of Mississippi, Camp near New Hope Church, June 2, 1864. MRS. SMITH: My Dear Friend-Your welcome letter reached me at Tuscumbia where everything was bustle and confusion, owing to orders we received to join the General in the field at Dalton, and consequently I found no time to answer it up to the present moment; but now I believe I will succeed, having obtained (no matter how) a sheet of paper, pen and ink, and also a few moments of leisure, which I now devote to you. I left Tuscaloosa on the 17th, went through Demopolis like a streak of lightning, and placed our horses on the train at Monticello and proceeded to Blue Mountain, thence on horseback towards Rome. After we came within a few miles of Rome, news reached us that it had fallen, and, of course, changed our front; and after |