army has possession of Grenada. I think we can be there with the cars in ten days, and be
ready to take the advance, in advancing on Jackson, where the battle of the west will
be fought. When Jackson and Richmond has fallen into our hands, then I will have some
hope of the war ending and not till then. And I know Grant and his army can and will
take Jackson and if Burnside can hold his own till then, then Lincoln give Grant
command in the East and take fifty thousand Western troops with him to stand behind
the Eastern army and shoot down every Yankee that flinches, Grant can take Richmond by
the middle of Feb. All the prisoners and deserters that I have seen and talked with
say the Rebel army is very much discouraged, badly clothed and fed. They say the Tenn
and Missouri soldiers say they never will fight us if they can help it, that their
states are in the Union again, and they are for their states. Still all that amounts
to nothing, for it is impossible for them to get away, and while they stay they have to
fight. They acknowledge they are fairly whipped, and they want to quit. Forty or fifty
wagons go out daily ten and fifteen miles, bring in corn, fodder, cotton, sweet potatoes,
etc. Very few people are at home, all in the army. The guards that go with the teams
destroy nearly everything in spite of orders and officers that go with them, it is
orders to shoot a man down caught setting fire to a house. Yet I have seen dozens of
large, fine, and splendid houses burning, but generally the houses are left. Tell
Sarah news is scarce with me. I have wrote nothing worth reading. Still I write nearly
every day. I thank God for being again in the rear, that life has been spared and may
the rebels be compelled to fall back again. Our provision train has come up and we
are living like soldiers again. Tell Zetty to kiss Oscar for me and I will write
her another letter shortly. Write to Kate and Mary. I have wrote to James, Zetty,
Rebecca and Leander in the last week. Give my best respects to Wilson, wife and Jane.
Tell them I want them to be at home the next time I go home. How does Lee and Clara
get along? Have they quit talking about you leaving? Do you not think they was glad
you left? No hope of pay. Your William
