B. F. Batchelor to his wife - February 24, 1862

Murfreysboro Febry 24 1862

My dear wife:

Since the 9th inst I have not been out of my saddle one day, but rapidly moving from point to point watching the enemys movements, which accounts for not writing since my last--You have been aprized by the telegraph of our late reverses, the defeat at Fort Donaldson, evacuation of Bowling Green and Nashville, and of these disasters I need not speak more than to say it has come upon our army like a thunderbolt--We have just reached this place after a laborious scout of six days to "Charlotte" to cover the retreat of some of our Infantry who succeeded in escaping from Chatanogo Ga, but whether we are to make a stand there, or go farther, I am unable to say--Tho the present looks gloomy you must [not] despond, or lose your faith in the goodness of God and the ultimate success of our cause--Depend upon it we will shortly stop the onward march of the Hessians and drive the last infernal Yankee from our soil--It seems dearest a long time since we said "good bye" and hope sickens and patience wearies because our sky is darkened and we cannot see the end of this painful war, but then we must ever in mind that engaged in the most glorious struggle the word ever saw. It is a mighty contest fought with stupendous interests, and it is not to be expected that an achievement so momentous & fraught with such rich rewards can be effected in a few brief days or weeks. Could such a thing be thus soon accomplished it would in the eyes of the world, and posterity, lose much of its importance & value--Then let us rise to the full magnitude of the crisis & put on the whole armour of patriotism, and to this add the excellencies of Christian resignation in all things. To do this effectually we must earnestly invoke strength from the Source of all strength. My darling we ought to remember with gratitude that no matter what may hereafter befall us, or either of us, we have already enjoyed more happiness than falls to the common lot of man. Tis to me a source of unspeakable pleasure to know that , looking over the past not a single shadow rests over our experience as man & wife--no jarring--no discord, but all is as smoothly sweet as our dreams of Paradise--My darling has always been to me a loving faithful wife, & the sole mistress of my heart till my affection grew to idolitry; and tho' I have not always been to her what I wished to have been--for tis human to err--yet I know my foibles have been forgiven as soon as committed for twas written in my darling's smile--I have only time to scrawl these hurried lines as Mr Crutcher who takes this is ready to start--I will write the very first breathing spell I get & give you a history of our past two or three weeks--dont indulge any unnecessary fears about me my love--have no misgivings--God's invisible shied is over all his people & not a hair of ours falls to the ground without his knowledge & permission--I am still in fine health--received a letter from dear George from Beaumont sorry have not time to answer but he knows how it is & will excuse me. My love to dear Pa & Ma--kiss our little rose bud for me--

Ever Thine
Frank

Darling write dear Sister & tell her I am well &c

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