Birds Point, Jan 15, 1862Brother Lee,
I have nothing to write, but I know you are anxious to hear from us. Sim Copple and Will Copple came back last night to help load the boat again. They said our men landed near Ft. Jeff. Did not know whether they would go back to the Ft. or camp on the river opposite Northfork. Andrew and Abe Copple came over last evening and went down with the boys to stay tonight. They was afraid to go, but I told them there was no danger of a fight, so they finally concluded to try it. I do not think the calculation is to attack Columbus. It may be they are going to try to surround it and starve them out or draw them out to a fair fight. I guess there is about eight thousand troops down at Ft. Jeff or near there. There may be more. I think they are "fortifying". Do not know. I did hear that the troops had left Paducah for some point near Columbus. Do not know how true it is. I have no idea of a fight at Columbus for some time yet, as our mortar boats are not near finished and the gun boats is not ready yet. I think they will be finished before they attack Columbus. No troops have come from St. Louis here yet, unless they came by Centralia. It is tolerably cold here, although it is thawing considerably. There is plenty of ice floating down the Mississippi River, but not enough to do any damage. Old Jim McKee stayed with me last night.
©2006 C.S. Parkinson