Near Nashville, Tennessee, Letters of Pvt. Sam T. Smith, 15th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment

March 16, 1862
Camp Andrew Johnson near Nashville, Tennessee

Mrs. Smith, Much Beloved Companion:

I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that I am in moderate health hoping these few lines may find you well and hearty. I received your letter dated the 10^th. I was glad to hear from you to hear that you were well and doing well. I don’t (want) you to work so hard any more as to make your side sore. You should work more moderate and as for that big cake of sugar and peaches I would like to have it. We are stationed at Nashville, and it is thought that we will stay here two or three weeks, but there is no telling about that as things are uncertain. If you got the last letter I wrote to you I suppose that there is some grub on the way to Nashville for me which I would like to have. Lizzie I have got some money at last after so long a time, and they say we will get some more pretty soon. I expect to send you $15 on the 20^th, and I will express it next Thursday as Lieut. Dean is gong to town on that day, and I will send some money and express it to you which I know will please you. Lizzie I have not got the pay or my boots yet, but I think I will get it. If I do I will send you $20, and if I don’t get it I cannot send you so much. We have had some wet weather for the last few days. Day before yesterday it rained all day and very hard and had better think that I wanted those boots that was sent to me that I never got as my toes are out. You wanted me to tell you about our marches, but I could not tell you in a week. If I were there I could tell you things that would make your eyes open which I hope I will have a chance before long. I think from all the news that the war will be over pretty soon. I learned that Pensacola and Manassas are both evacuated and if that be the case where are they going to do their fighting? We may have some very hard fights yet, but I don’t think so. But my thoughts are worth nothing in that particular. When we marched through Nashville some of the citizens said that we would march back the other way before tomorrow night. That was last Wednesday. This is Sunday, and we have not taken the back track yet nor I don’t think we will until we get ready. Lizzie when you get some money you must send me your picture and as for stamps you know that I need them and will have to stop writing unless I get some from home for there is no chance to get them here. Well I will have to close. You must do the best your can. I hope we will meet soon. Give respects to all. I remain your husband forever, Samuel T. Smith