Corinth Mississippi

Sunday morning, Oct 12^th 1862

My Dear Wife:-

I again have the privilege of addressing you to let you know that I am yet on the land and among the living and enjoying good health.  My health has been rather poor but I am now well, hoping that this scrawl may find you and the children well.

You are today no doubt reading the details of the fight here, either from my letter or from the commercial.  Then you will go to meeting and see all the neighbors and spend the day pleasantly.

Our Chaplain is going to preach for us today.  He is now giving out the hymn, “Bring forth the royal Diadem, etc” about forty feet from my tent.  I have not heard him preach since I was at Courtland on the 3^rd or 4^th of August.  You remember the time I wrote that I went to Town creek to collect some money for Sage.  Poor fellow, he is a prisoner of war at Huntsville, taken August 22^nd.  I do not know when they will be released.  Albert is able to be up.  He has left the hospital and came to the Company.  John Bell and about 25 others have been gone several days.  I do not know where they are, but think they are down towards Ripley, escorting waggon trains from Rienzi to General Rosencrans army.  Company “L” is now saddled up to go out as body guard to General Stanley.  Companies “A” and “E” came in last night from the “seat of war”; bringing in 142 prisoners.  I believe that the matter is about over now, with regard to this battle.  The dead are all buried and the wounded have about all been removed.  The wounded rebels was taken to Iuka and our own wounded taken north.

While they remained here, they died off by the score; Oh! the sickening sight.  May I never be permitted to see such another one.  All the description possible can only give a faint idea of the reality.  Some of the artists here took photographs of some of the scenes.  I think I will buy one or two and send you, if I can’t see it in Harpers of Frank Leslie to send you.

I did not get my last weeks Salem Advocate.  I think they do not send it regular.  I received a letter from John Smith and one from G.O. Sheppard.  John seems disposed to pitch into politics and wade into the swindles practiced upon the Government.  I have something else to do now besides dabbling in politics, especially with one that I know will not attempt to bring any proof whatever to back his assertions.  Yet if it is his desire to pitch assertions at me, copied from the Salem Advocate, I will give him a rap that he will not forget till he forgets me.  I hope you will be quite particular to save all the letters I send you.  I do not expect them read by any one but yourself.  I may need some of them if I ever get home.

I received a note from Lucy and wrote to her yesterday.  She says that Lee has gave out joining the army.  I do not believe he ever had any notion of going.  I don’t think he could face cold lead and I think the bare mention of a bomb shell makes him “turn cold under the haversack”.  I would not however accuse him of cowardice for I know he has the brave blood of the south coursing through his veins, yet I am proud to say he has not a sucker brother-in-law to keep him company.

There, Jack Foster and John Bell have come in.  Elder Minor is through his sermon and I am trying to tell you about some one stealing the pistol out of my holster last night.  They had better took my revolver for it is worth thirty dollars and the one they took is only worth six or seven.  I hope they will make good use of it.

I will expect a letter from you tomorrow night or Tuesday morning.  The weather is quite cool and makes me think of your wood pile.  Tell me if you have had any hauled yet.  Then the sheep, are they sold.  Have you got the mule colt from Alberts or have you sold it.  If you can, you had better sell it.  If pap will take it, let him have it on my notes.

John never wrote tome about my business.  I wish you would write to me all about it in your next letter.  I have just received a note from Nancy dated last Sunday.  She says mother was up to you the day before and tells about Rollin being so poorly.  I hope he may soon be better and get entirely well.

The matter about our horses is yet unsettled.  I can’t tell how it will terminate.  Should they muster us out of the service, I am undecided what I should do.  I do not believe that we will be mustered out, yet such a thing is possible.  I believe I would prefer the Artillery to infantry service.  Artillery service is as grand a thing in an action as you ever saw and next to independent Dragoons (cavalry) it is the best place I know of.  It is not as hard work as cavalry or infantry and as nice as anything you can think of.

I received those socks you sent by John Bell, thank you.  They are first rate ones, but I have never had them on yet.  You and Lucy and Nancy could knit us a few pairs and send them by express to Corinth if you get out of work.    They would be better than any we could buy.  I am not needing any clothing, but if it gets cold, I will have to have our overcoats sent to us.

Mrs. W.H. Hendrickson is cooking for Mess no. 1.  I don’t know how long she will stay with us.

I wish your father would come down to Corinth soon, if he really intends to come down at all.

Hoping to hear from you soon, I bid you good bye,

William A. Smith

To Mrs. Mary Smith