D503 Soldiers letters Alabama March 4, 1865 Rebels prefer attacking Defenseless negros than soldiers D503 [D459] Soldier letter - Guerrilla Band Attacking Negros 3 cent US postage stamp Nashville March 13 Miss Flora Putnam, Berrien Springs, Berrien Co. Michigan. 3/4/65 Paint Rock Station, M and C R.R. Ala. March 4, 1865 Dear Flora, Again has one of those welcome, yet long-journeying missives of yours found its winding way among the mountains to my cozy shanty, much to the satisfaction of your "Ob't Serv't", though it provokes agreat many angry thoughts of mail men in general. It is your reply to a letter of mine, written at the Hosp'l Huntsville, on New Year's day and from the worn and soiled envelope has made the circuit of this mundane sphere, by the Overland Road. As I have just completed my Muster and Pay Rolls from Jan. & Feb. guided by inclination, and a habit of promptness in correspondence, I thought to employ the coming leisure hour, in answering, hoping it may not tarry quite so long on its journey as all of yours seem to do of late. Health of myself and Co. very good at present writing. I acknowledge the receipt of a [N.Y.] Chicago Tribune, addressed in your father's hand writing, by today's mail, also a Republic a few days since. Am always glad to see old friends, such as these papers, and will return the favor soon. [end of letter written over top of date] swollen the streams so as to cause the Bridges to give way. Your domestic items about "Nick" and "Yarico" were interesting. Poor old "Simon Barjonah" has he gone the way of all the world? You told me you couldn't write while [in???ing] your last to me, and wondered what was the reason - If you will allow me to make a rough guess, I'll say it was because you were out so late to that big party. Do you say guess again? No, I'll leave it at that, knowing how Prest Sims used to give us such lectures on "being out late".--Address me at Larkinsville, Ala. and see if I can get letters direct again. Perhaps your P.M. thinks we are with Sherman & sends there, Best wishes to all, and love to F Good Night, Job "70 and 17" is quite nice The Authoress, I believe, is 70- Perry is still at Nashville. He wrote me a few days ago, that Cynthia and the children were with him. He thinks of bringing them with him when he returns to the Co. which will not probably be for some weeks yet. We have not been attacked by any of the Guerrilla Bands yet who infest our country, though they made a descent on a neighboring man of color, some nights ago, taking his horses, money, &c. They much prefer attacking unarmed R.R. repairers, citizens, and defenseless negros, to meddling with "Yanks" who know how to use the rifles they possess. The recent rains have raised Paint Rock River to overflowing. We have a canoe here (thanks to the industry and ingenuity of the boys) in which we have some fine rides. It serves as an exercise, and a pleasant pass time. I hear "Had" who is now on guard, laughing vociferously, at some of the other boys, who are about to capsize out in the swift current of the River, because they don't understand how to control the Boat. Though often threatening us, it has never tipped over any one yet. We live here in a community of our own, and have to be the authors chiefly, of our own amusements. I have been in but one citizen's house since we came here, 6 weeks ago, for the simple reason that there are none here, I care to get acquainted with. Mrs. Keel is the neighbor of whom I speak. She is quite an intelligent old lady, and has some very interesting children, one young lady, who boasts the classic name of Rhoda Ann, but who is called by her ma, and the rest of the family, by the not over euphonious nick-name of "Stump", originated perhaps, by the circumstance of her stature being somewhat diminutive, in proportion to her weight. This fact is one of the very few exceptions to the general rule, of female forms in the country. They remind one of "May apples" grown in the shade, and are all excellent cherry-pickers. "Stump" is also an exception, in another sense, as she has not acquired the so-called lady-like habits of dipping snuff, chewing, or smoking tobacco. She is truly good looking, and if you should never hear of me when the Reg't returns home, you may conclude that I am the possessor of a cave somewhere among these mountains, and this mountain lassie, this bright eyed nymph, is the partner of my subterranean life. What do you think of that? Won't there be Romance for a new novel? Have finished "Shirley" and think it one of the most instructive and interesting works of fiction extant. The Authoress clothes her ideas in the strongest and most choice, of English language, and the style is not far-fetched, but perfectly natural and easy. Rec'd Tennyson's "Enoch Arden" the other day. It is a fine Poetic story, told in Rhymeless verse, reminds one of the style of Longfellow greatly. Should think it would be excellent on the stage, played by Davenport & Wallack, or read by the Elocutionist James E. Murdock x x Night - I was stopped short off in my letter by the return of John, Clint, Clark, & Christian, from the wood with two big buckets full of honey. Dock, (Mrs. Kells' son) told them of bee tree, and today they went and felled it, getting an abundance of honey, and several bee stings. I quit writing, of course, to partake of the "honey & the honey comb", with Biscuit. One very important (!) item I forgot to chronicle in my last. My fine whiskers, and moustache, have fallen by the barberous razor, and the boys all call me 10 yrs. younger. This item of course will interest you. This night is as calm and clear, as last night was rough and rainy. The half-grown moon gives its soft enchanting light; the waters of Paint Rock reflect it back again, and mirror the stars in their ground-work of blue. The homely [chanter?] monotonous frog songs fill the listening ear. We feel that spring is here again. The R.R. courier told me this evening that the Bridges were gone again on the N. & C. R.R., and we would probably get no more mail for some days. The rains have letter from Job, Co. K, 73rd Indiana Vol Infy. Paint Rock Station M and C RR, Ala, March 4, 1865 Dear Flora, . . . . "We have not been attacked by any of the Guerrilla Bands yet who infest our county, though they made a descent on a neighboring man of color, some nights ago, taking his horses, money, & etc. They much prefer attacking unarmed R. R. Repairers, citizens and defenseless negroes, to meddling with the Yanks, who know how to use the Rifles they possess." Note negro man had horses, money, etc. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.