and other Regs. They try to say our Reg did not lose as many here according to number as we did at Donelson. I do not think we did
quite, but very near. Our strength there was just about 520, and we lost in killed,
wounded, and missing 346. I always heard 329, but I saw the Col's official report, and
it was 346. In this first fight Sunday morning we did not have over 160 all told and
we lost 97 killed, wounded, and missing. So you see, there was very little difference
in our loss at the two places. But still it was the heaviest at Donelson, and then
we felt it, once there. We are getting use to it. By the next fight if every man
in the Reg is killed, we will think it a very small loss. We get no news here, or if
we do, it is so old we do not believe it. We are so far from the river and so
many troops between here and the river that newspapers do not get out to us. We
hear all kind of camp news about McClellen fighting at Yorktown and Pope taking
Memphis, but we do not believe anything till we know it is true. I heard today
that Gen Mitchell was in Huntsville, Ala, had taken a few prisoners and some
engines and cars. It may be true, but we do not know. The woods are green with
grass and leaves, looks like June. I guess you are not so forward in your northern
country. I guess you had better move down. Tell John not to come. No use to be in
a hurry. He might miss a big fight by staying away three or four weeks. Tell
him just to write to me that he does not feel so well as he did. I have written two
letters to Zetty, two to James, two to you, two to Leander, and two to Rebecca, and
one to John lately. Part of them before the fight, but nearly all since the
fight. Say nothing about Hugh resigning till I write again. But then McKee and
Fletcher will tell it. Zetty, kiss Oscar for me. Write, all of you.
Remember, William
