B. F. Batchelor to his wife - February 1, 1862

Head Quarters Texas Rangers
Advance Guard near Bell Station, Ky.
February 1st 1862

My Dear Wife.

Having leisure to devote a short time to writing, this cold morning, tho' nothing of much interest has occured since my last. The day after our arrival at this camp we took a scout in the direction of Green River, intending to go to Roulett Station, but came up with the enemy's Pickets 2 miles this side of Horse Cave and 6 from Routetts Station; Small detachments of 3 were sent out right & left to ascertain their strength & purpose; our scouts returned reporting their strength 800. On our approach 500 Infantry were thrown into a thick timber, while 300 Calvery took position to cut off our retreat & then they stood waiting our advance. We had but two companies A & C numbering 56 men & so quietly withdrew a mile or two & kept our small parties on the hills watching their progress till night, when the enemy counter-marched & returned to Woodsonville on the River. I presume this force of theirs was sent to protect their men who are busy repairing the Turnpike & Railroad torn up by Genl Hindman not long since. It seems a little strange that they did not engage us, having the largest force, but they are afraid of being woke up by a Masked Battery, or caught in ambush & move with great caution. After night we went on 9 or 10 miles to Bear Wallow & came back through the Town of Horse Cave, gathering particulars of the enemy's visit from the citizens. The papers received yesterday fully confirm the sad news of Zollicoffer's defeat & death. The Federals sent us word his body & that of Bolie Peyton would be delivered to us under flag of truce at Woodsonville by 4 o'clock P.M. Genl Hindman immediately started 40 men from our Regiment to meet them before they passed our outside Pickets knowing they would improve the occasion to see our position & defenses, our men got up there by 12 M. & found their escort--30 in number--3 miles this side Horse Cave. They were haulted there & kept till Genl Hindman & staff & Colonel Wharton & 5 captains of this Regiment came up. A friendly conversation was carried on between our officers & theirs for an hour--several sharp cuts & repartees passed between them the best of which was between Genl Johnson (Federal) & Capt Evans. Johnston said: You see Captain that our Government is generous in their sending the body of your General. Yes returned Mark but you shall find us not behind in courtesy. I hope we shall soon have the opportunity of returningthe like kindness! Speaking of the ability of their government to crush the rebellion Mark asked Genl Johnston why they did not come down in force and test the strength of the armies in this part of Ky--"We are waiting till fully prepared" said Johnston "& when so, we will come in a hurry." Yes retorted Mark "you will rush down in a hurry, and like the herd of swine the Devils will get into you & you'll never get back again." The reverses of Drainsvill & Fishing Creek has cast a gloom over the minds of some who thought the Yankees Cowards & that our independence was to be achieved without a reverse, but the great mass are not affected by it, at least not injuriously affected by it. I have never thought we were fighting cowards. I knew better. I doubt the policy of underrating an enemy, for it leads to vain boasting & when the tug of battle comes & they see to their amazement the enemy fighting like tigers, they are filled with terror and more easily whipped than they would have been had they known they had to meet men of like valor with themselves. This is illustrated in Zollicoffer's defeat; his command boasted they could whip 50,000 Yankees--The truth is, God decides battles & being with us we have triumphed on many battle fields & I think He has permitted these reverses to show us that we do not, and cannot alone win victories, & must cease our vain boasting and while fighting like brave men, rely on His powers for success--Our present camp being but 10 miles from Mammoth Cave some of the boys rode over there yesterday & found the Hotel closed & all valuables carried two or three miles into the Cave. The proprietor is a Union Man & our men helped themselves freely to choice liquors, cutlery, bedding, cooking utensils, etc; while in there they heard firing on the river & rushed out supposing the enemy upon them, but found it was Morgan's Calvery shooting at a body of Federals on the opposite side of the river. The weather has been sleety & bad for several days but we get along very well, cheered by the prospect of spring in a few weeks more. I hope my love will write often--once per week--for they are my greatest enjoyment now--I have not had a letter from my pet since leaving Bowling Green 16th ult. it seems a long time, but the mails are very irregular. You have been very thoughtful & prompt in writing, my precious idol, & this has kept me cheerful many times, when had no letter come my heart would have ached with loneliness. Write all about our little treasure, & her pranks; Hoping soon to hear that dear George has arrived safely home & is improving in health & with a heart full of love for you all I once more affix to this letter the old name which I would so like to hear my darling call.

Frank

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