B. F. Batchelor to his wife - February 27, 1862

Murfreesboro, Tenn Feb 27/62

My own darling Julia

I sent you a few hurried pencil lines on the 24 inst by the hand of Rev. Mr. Crutcher supposing we would take up our retrograde march the next day, but finding we are to remain here a day or two longer to cover the retreat of the Infantry and wagon trains I write again. A brief record of our movements the last three weeks will be the most interesting items I could pen you. On the morning of the 12 inst we were aroused at 3 A.M. and told to cook two days provisions and be ready to march at day-light--none knew our destination, but having heard the enemy was advancing by flank movement through Glasscoe we supposed we were going out with Genls Hindman and Breckenridges Brigades to engage them--Great was our surprise when formed on the Turnpike to receive orders to march to Bowling Green for we then thought the enemy must be advancing on that place--we arrived at the first Fort about 4 P.M. and to our utter astonishment found it was dismantled and that the city would be evacuated, in fact that all the troops had been withdrawn leaving us the rear guard. We rested there two days while the frequent scream of the cars told the rapid removal of cannon and public stores. A severe snow storm raged all the time & finally rendered the rail road impassible leaving the streets choked up with government and private stores--Early on the morning of the 15th we received orders to march and had hardly got into our saddles before our pickets came dashing in and reported the enemy planting cannon to shell the city; in a few minutes more and when within half a mile of town the Yankees opened fire; they saw our advancing column and threw shells and balls like hail at us. Some bursted high above our heads others barely passed over our heads making the air whir with the sound of rushing iron--two buildings were struck within 30 or 40 yards of us but not a man was hit except Gen Hindmans aid de camp, who lost one ear and was wounded in the arm. The bridges had been fired at day-light, but a Courier reported the enemy crossing the river on pontoon bridges, our Regiment was thrown out to intersept and beat them back and we held this position with orders to charge them for about 3 hours while the Infantry and trains left the city in the rear. It is impossible for me in a letter, and it would be painful to you darling were I to attempt a discription of what I saw that day. Wagons were furiously driving through the streets strewing lose baggage as they went--foot soldiers going almost in a run, even the sick pale and hagard with fear striving to keep up with the retreating army; but the most distressing sight of all was that of women ringing their hands or rushing through the streets carrying their little ones in their arms. Every kind of conveyance from carriage to carts were crowded with fugative citizens who fled as from prisons--The roaring cannon and whizzing balls had no terror to us then for our hearts rung with anguish at the grief of the helpless, and no force could have driven us back upon them. The enemy surveyed our position and did not deem it prudent to advance but continued the canonade. At 4 P.M. the citizens had got out of the city and our last train passed out when we went to the Rail road depot, and public buildings, and set them on fire agreeably to Genl Johnstons orders and retired in good order. The night was bitter cold and our march necessarily slow. My eyes were not closed during the night. On the 19 Genl Pillow telegraphed Genl Hardee that he had met the land forces at Fort Donaldson and had them nearly whipped--that two gun boats were crippled and the enemy were throwing down their arms and surrendering by companies.--The evacuation of Bowling Green was forgotten in a moment and we rent the air with our enthusiastic shouts. In less than an hour a courier came at full speed telling the sad news of our defeat and that Nashville was also to be evacuated, urging us to hurry forward as the bridges would be destroyed at 4 o'clock next morning. We had tasted no food since morning and our horses were much jaded but there was no help for it and we pushed on--The wildest rumors met us all along the road--consternation seemed to have seized every one--some said the enemy had by forced marches got in between us and Nashville and we had to cut our way through or surrender. Our Lieutenants being sick and absent--and Capt Evans called to the front of the column the company was under my command during the night; as you may well imagine we were sorely tired; we were lifted to the highest point of hope at sun down by news of our supposed victory and then weighted down as by some hideous nightmare by exagerated reports of defeat, and momentarily expecting to meet the insolent invader, flushed with victory, in the grapple of death, hewing our way through their columns to reach the remainder of a dispirited army. At midnight we came up with the rear of our trains, the Infantry having passed over into Nashville--about 2 o'clock we also passed over and rode through the silent streets. Ah how different was the gloomy appearance of the city, but a short time ago so gay in its fancied security! After passing the ridge of the Cumberland Mountains it became much warmer and instead of snow a sluggish rain set in and continued till day light. I considered myself fortunate in securing the sharp end of a stick of wood, sheltered by some slanting rails on which to sit till morning, while dripping blankets forming my covering. On the 20 inst we marched about six miles and pitched tents for the day--that evening news came that Davis had sent word to Genl Johnston that Nashville should be defended at all hazzards, and that he would reinforce us if necessary with 35,000 troops; it inspired our troops with fresh vigor and we slept well that night. Next morning at 3 A.M. we were directed to load our arms, put some provisions in our haversacks and be ready to start at day light. We obeyed with alacrity supposing the enemy had appeared and that the battle would begin that morning--All along the road to Nashville the troops cheered us as we passed calling out--"give them h--l boys we'll be with you in a short time." In the city our welcome was a perfection ovation--ladies from balconies and windows waived their handkerchiefs and cheered us as we pranced along proud of the honor of opening (as we supposed) the fight. I noticed some grey haired matrons who alternately wept cheered and prayed saying: "go on brave Texans and may God preserve your lives; but never never surrender." It was the most solemn but by far the proudest hour of my life and had we met the enemy Texas would have been proud of her sons. We continued our march for six miles when the object of our mission began to appear, it was to cover the retreat of our troops that had escaped from Fort Donaldson--When the Fort was about to be surrendered Genl Floyd determined to save his Brigade and instructed the Cavalry to cut their way through the enemy's lines while with a steamer he crossed his Infantry over the river and told them to scatter and make their way as best they could to Nashville where he would join them. We continued toward the Fort 40 miles to the Town of "Charlotte" & staid there till the last of the Infantry came in, then collected all stray horses and mules owned by the government and returned to this place, covering the retreat of the stragglers and carrying the weary on our horses behind us. We have been for days in the cold drenching rain without Tents, but stood it very well. Man never knows what he can endure until called upon to suffer; I am proud to say there is very little murmering. My health darling was never better. It seems as though my constitution was moulded out of wrought iron the more it is hammered the tougher it gets. It now only remains for me to speak of the kindness and hospitality of the Tennesseans in this part of the state. They are not only true as steel for Southern Rights but pour out their wealth like water for the comfort of our soldiers. A Regiment of men with horses requires a large amount of provisions and forage, but every town and neighborhood through which we passed furnished us free of charge plenty of good cooked provisions and all we needed. While in Towns the citizens would come and invite as many as each could accommodate to their houses, where they were treated like princes. It makes me feel inexpressably sad to think of the gloomy situation of these whole souled Tennesseans who will be robbed of all they have as soon as the Lincolnites get among them. This is a dark hour for our young Republic but we must work the harder and guard against despondency, which does no good. Every enterprise has its hours of gloom, but the brave heart becomes only braver by adversity. The faint hearted are inclined to think that in our subsequent battles the North will have the advantage because flushed with recent victories, but the strong hearted know that while the enemy comes flushed with victory they will meet an enemy rendered fiercer by the sting of defeat and the knowledge that nothing but invincible courage can save them. But still higher stands the Christian solder for he trusts in God and knows that He can scatter armies like chaff and that the right must prevail. If God is for us who can be against us? Then let us indulge in no misgivings because trials beset our pathway to liberty. Owing to the immense loss of meat in the evacuation of Kentucky & this part of Tennessee our army will in a great measure have to depend on Texas for beef--it will command an excellent price and I advise Marcellus and George to hold on to their cattle till there is a good market--Would it not be well for Pa to put in corn and potatoes and no cotton this year--A crop of this will command big prices, while there may be no market for cotton, and he may even be compelled to burn it. This matter deserves serious reflection, good judgment and patriotism. Capt Evans has gone again to remove his family further south & will not be back for 8 days--I am so thankful that my love is not here to suffer the anxiety and alarm she has the last month--Capt Jones is sick in New Orleans--took sick two months ago--Jim Harris is sick there too--Write often darling whether you get letters or not, for many are lost but some will come--Hoping to be able to write cheerful news next letter, and with a heart full of love your affectionate husband.

Frank

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