B. F. Batchelor to his wife - January 12, 1862

Camp Terry near Woodburn Ky
Jany 12th 1862

My dear Julia

I have just returned from Nashville to carry George his discharge and papers that he might return to Texas and regain his health. I found him comfortably situated at the residence of C W Jackson--a rich Banker, where he has servants to wait upon him and every luxury heart could wish, but he has a pretty severe cough and we thought it prudent for him to remain there a few days until relieved from cold least the trip should increase it. I have been trying to persuade him to take a discharge some time, but his affection for me prevented, until now. I feel overjoyed to think our dear brother will soon be with you all again, and think the smiles of friends, comforts of home, & genial winter of Texas will restore him to former health before Spring. I am also glad to say that in the spring I will come home also to recruit our company & then George can return with me should Texas not require his services there. As you know it is a severe stroke to me to lose the companionship of the man who is dearer to me than any other in the world--but tho' it leaves an aching void in my heart yet I shall rejoice because his health imperatively demands it, & had I done aught to retain him & anything befell him I do not see how I could return without him. You must not indulge fears about George because I have written this; for I feel sad that circumstances separate us at this trying time, and I cannot write any other way. I find that three of my letters to George miscarried and I begin to fear that you do not get all I write. It is a shame that so much carelessness should exist about the mailing of letters, but it cannot be helped--Write often my love for it is sunshine to the lonely. I must hear from you often now that George is going away--You have been very mindful in writing & thus shortened our weary separation. I thought about two weeks ago that the Federals would march upon Bowling Green but every day since has lessened the prospect & I am afraid they will not do it at all; should they not we must take the laboring oar and march upon them. I think our prospects for peace are rapidly brightening & that should the same success attend our arms as heretofore the war will end by the next meeting of the U.S. Congress. Since last writing we elected Lubbock Colonel and Capt Walker Lt Colonel, but death has taken Lubbock from us & we will probably elect Wharton in his place tomorrow. Genl Hindman has twice written to Genl Hardee to have our Regiment returned to their old position under his command. This being the post of most danger is the post of honor and a high compliment. Sickness will tell fearfully upon us if we go into quarters about Bowling Green & I think it preferable to wear out rather than rust out. I am glad to hear that Hardee will send us back to Green River in two or three days--giving us that time to hold an election & have our horses shod. Since we came to Kentucky we have occupied a prominent position & been more talked of than any other & I could not bear to be supplanted by any other Regiment. It is too cold to write much this evening; my object in writing a few lines was more to prepare you for the joy you will all feel to know that in a few days our dear dear George will be with you again, and tell you better than can be written of things which have transpired in this state. He will tell you that Frank is a lump of fat & so covered up with whiskers as to be hardly capable of recognition--For the present my precious love good bye--with much love to dear Pa & Ma & hoping to be with my love early in the spring I am

Your affectionate
Frank

Rugeley, H. J. H. ed. Batchelor-Turner Letters, 1861-1864. The Steck Company, Austin, TX 1961.