Not far from Lagrange & G. Junction in the woods
Nov 27th 1862My Dear Wife, Zetty, and Oscar,
Would to God I was with you tonight and nothing but death would seperate us. You are now lying on a soft feather bed. I am in the woods thinking of our march tomorrow. We advance ten miles tomorrow, and if we continue marching that far each day, we'll meet the Rebels before this reaches you. (Oh my God, here is the mail and no letter for me) and me lying under the sod, not very deep. But I do not think we will go further than Holly Springs at present, and I do not think the Rebels will give battle there. But no one knows. We have to carry three days cooked rations, and carry [undecipherable], blankets, clothing, etc. Tell Sarah I am going to try to manage to get John's things hauled. Well, Sarah, we are in for it, fight we must, and some of us will be killed. Who will it be, John, Silas, or me? And who of us will lose a leg or arm? I pray God will carry us through safe. Ransom thought he would get a brigade when he got home, but it blew up. He is in command of the Reg. Congress will have to confirm his appointment before he is Brig. Gen. We march under the most stringent orders I ever heard read. We are in the 1st Brigade & 6th Division commanded by Gen. McArthur. We are in Gen. Hamilton's Guard Division. Our Reg is on the extreme left wing, so we march in advance of everything. It is late. I will write every opportunity, and that will be seldom. When you hear of the fight, you will know the 11th is in advance. Dear Zetty, remember your pa. Remember me to all, and for God's sake all of you write.
Remember me, WilliamI put this in an envelope you sent me to Ft. Donelson. When we went to Clarksville, I seen all the 11th at Columbus. Goodby, William
©2006 C.S. Parkinson
