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Cowan Tenn Feb 21^st 1864

Dear Wife

I received your letter of the 7^th of Feb this morning was glad to get it and to hear that you ware all well.  It found me well and I hope when this reaches you it will find you all enjoying the same great blessing, the wether is fine here to day but we have had four or five days the last week that was tedgeous,  I was on  picket one of the coldest days and nights could not sleep any at all for I had to hug the fire and freeze one side and roast the other. I,ll bet it would been more comfortable huging you though in a good bed at any rate I would be willing to run the risk if I had the chance, It has been over two weeks since I got a letter from home till this morning the last one that I got was dated Jan 20^th and you said in that, that Georgia would write so as to send it Friday but I have never received any from her of that date, I looked but looked in vain until I got tired of looking and give up all hopes of ever getting any more letters from home   I expected that you mailed one for me on the 1^st of Feb but have not received it if you did I got one this morning from Mother Brainard I had writen one to her but I think she had not got it when they wrote this, You will see by the heading of this letter that we have moved again we came here last Tuesday I believe it was we stoped here once before about a week when we first came down to this part of the country, The name of this place is Cowan a station on the Rail Road 87 miles from Nashville so you see they keep shoveing us towards home a little every time we move, You say that Charley [Shalar] is at home and was pretty well set and you also say how they do spend their money, that is the natural consequence with a great many of the soldiers after they get their pay to spend their money and get drunk not only the privates but the officers I have seen a plenty of it since I have been in the army, you want to know what I think about licking the South now in six months, wall I think it has taken longer than I though for but neverless I think we are good for them yet and sooner or later they will have to succome.  I think they are getting pretty well used up about this time and if nothing happens by the first of July they will get used all rather roughly, You see they are crowded into a good deal smaller compas now than they was one year ago this time, You have asked lots of questions that I might answer but have not got [room] so will waite till I come home to do that  how are you out for funds have you got your bounty yet this month  I expect to get two months pay to morrow if I do will send you a little have got this sheat full so must close  so good afternoon My love to all of you  From your old man  A.C. Smith

Copyright © 2009 Bruce E. Leandro. All rights reserved.