Decatur, Alabama

Saturday evening, August 2, 1862

My Dear Wife:-

Having wrote to you night before last I will only drop you a line now as I do every chance I have.  I know you would like to get a note from me every day if possible.  I will go back towards Tuscumbia to Town Creek tomorrow.  It is about forty or fifty miles.  I did intend to go today but the cars did not go.  The Company has gone down that way twelve miles to patrol the road.

We had an alarm yesterday evening.  The second we have had since we have been in the service.  Company “H” went out on a scout toward the mountains and was attacked by the guerillas in a strong force.  Captain Webster sent us word and skirmished with them and retreated till within two and a half miles from town, the rebels stopped.  We was soon out and after them, but they retreated and we did not get to fire on them.  We followed them about five miles and returned at sundown.  We will certainly have a fight or a foot race soon.  We know that there is both citizens and soldiers close here that will pour it into us at every chance.

The bridges they have burned will be repaired today so that the cars will run clear through to Corinth.  I will expect a letter from John Bell by next mail.  I will in a few days write to you again, for I think the next mail will bring me a letter from you.

I have not heard from your uncle Montgomery since we left Jacinto.  I went to see Albert Jackson just the evening before we started.  He told me he thought if I had been with him when he got off the cars, you would have gone into fits.  I wish you would tell me how you felt when you saw him get off the cars.  With the promise to write again soon, I bid you good bye.

William A. Smith