On the way to Missionary Ridge, letters of Pvt. Sam T. Smith, near Nashville, Tennessee

March 25, 1862

Camp Near Nashville, Tennessee

Mrs. Smith,

I seat myself to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am in moderate health at present hoping when these few lines come to hand they may find you well and doing well. I would be glad to get a letter from you as I have not had one from you for some time. The last one I got from you was with a letter to Greer in answer to that I said I would send you some money, but owing to a lot of thieving devils who burned the cars and blowed up the locomotive, the only one running between Bowling Green and Nashville, I have not had a chance to send it, but will send it as soon as I can express it and get a receipt. There is one reason that I have not written sooner, but I think things will move on right after this so that I can send money and letters when I please and receive letters from you. We are laying in camp drilling once in a while. We have had some pretty cool weather for the last few days, but it is more pleasant today. I have no other news that is concerning the war. I sent a blanket home by express, which I suppose you will get before you get this letter. The reason that I sent it home is that I had two, and I had to get rid of one, and the Quartermaster would not take it and give me a receipt, and I thought that you could use it better than I could use it myself. So, myself and some others sent a lot home. I don’t know how long we will remain here but don’t think that we will stay long. Well I don’t care how long we stay or when we march. One thing certain is I want the Devils cleaned out and don’t care how soon it is done. Well Lizzie I come as near having nothing to write as ever you saw, but I will try to fill the sheet if I can. I forgot to tell you that I had a very sore mouth, so sore that I can hardly eat Uncle Sam’s biscuits. What the matter is more than I can tell, but I know that it is very sore. Lizzie if I had some change I would send you one dollar so that you could send me some stamps as I need them, but on the other hand I expect you need some money for yourself which I shall send you as soon as possible. I sent twenty dollars to town the other day, but the express agent would not receive and receipt for it owing to the train being destroyed. If there is any money comes to you for Phoebe Smith you will take care of it until you have the chance to give it to her. You must be carefully who you give it to to take to her. Well I have come to close and you must do the best you can, and I will do the same. I hope to see you soon. Give my respects to all friends and relation. Tell Leon to write.

S.T. Smith