B.F. Batchelor Letter to G. Q. Turner- October 29, 1862

Camp Lenores Tenn
Oct 29/62

My Dear George

Yours of Sept 2nd recd & finds me well—I was surprised and overjoyed to hear that you had got the upper hand of that horrible disease at last, and had such a fine chance of flesh on your bones—Although in excellent health ever since joining the Army yet I do not weigh by 10 pounds as much as one year ago, but what there is of me is pure stuff sinew & grissle. I do not think it advisable for you to join our Regt before next spring as we will probably have a very cold winter & it might prove too much for you—It will not be necessary for you to get any pistols as I have enough for us both—I have had opportunity of getting a dozzen for nothing in our fights and captures since you left and we will have plenty chances this winter—This Regt has captured over 1000 breachloading guns & six shooters since the battle of Shiloh & is finely armed. I have been appointed Commissary of this Regt with the rank of Captain—the appointment at present is subject to one contingency. Should Col Wharton not receive his commission as Brig. General then the Brigade will be broken up & Capt Simmons return to his old position of Commissary of the Regt—but there is no doubt about Wharton being made a Brigadier—his gallant & efficient services during the past two months (and especially at the battle of Perryville) cannot fail to secure it. Col Wharton when notifying me of my appointment & the contingency said: Should I fail to get my promotion I will resign & added you can act as you see proper—I have not heard from Capt Evans since his terrible wound at Perryville but think he must have died—in which case the captaincy is vacant, but Lt. Shannon is a warm friend of mine & has his heart set on this position, in fact would resign if anyone is elected over him; for this reason I thought it best not to oppose him, but accept the post of Captain on the Staff which has many advantages, which you will learn when you get here. I am entitled to a clerk and Commissary Sergeant & till something better offers should be glad to have the little "pot-bellied bald-headed" Major-in-prospective, on the scribbling end of my staff.

Inducements, good tent, wagon to carry luggage, plenty of the best to eat, and last though not least 33$ per month—and fight when you please; this will keep you from the common drudgery of a soldier—such as picket duty on cold rainy nights—of which this hombre has had bastante. I did not get a letter from Pa about a transfer to Genl Baylor's command—Were it certain Baylors forces would remain in Texas I would be strongly tempted to seek a transfer that I might occasionally see my dear wife & child for I am nearly distracted to see him again, but if otherwise I would not, for I stand high twith Col Wharton and all the oficers of this Regt, who seem almost like brothers. We have suffered hardships and dangers together and are bound together by more than ordinary ties. Col Wharton in appointming me on the staff encountered strong opposition from Major Harrison (our acting Colonel) who had his heart set on appointing his Nephew Chas Pearre and in this I found his high regard for me. When you get ready to start saddle any of your little ponies about home that can bring you here and I can mount you on a fine horse—I sent Julia 400$ by J G Boothe of Gonzales (the Merchant) a few days ago and will send her as much more the first safe conveyance; but a months pay will get you a fine charger here, so don't make any sacrifices about getting a good horse. All the boys collected around the fire last night to hear read "a letter from George," for they hear with great interest anything you write. Old Sergeant Barlow in particular almost idolizes you. How is George? When will he come back? have been asked a thousand times.

Our present camp is about 20 miles from Knoxville & the same from Kingston Tenn. We stopped here last Evening & will remain till tomorrow in order to get our horses shod; when we will start for middle Tennessee & bring up about Murfreesborough or Nashville. I expect our forces will be in Nashville in a few days—Genl Polk—who by the by is, in the opinion of many, the General of our Western Army—paid our Regt a high compliment for gallantry at Bardstown Ky. I will try & enclose a printed copy in this letter. Genl Cheatham who stood the fiercest of the fight on the bloody field of Perryville speaks in highest terms of our Regt in that battle—we were on the extreme right where the hard fighting was done & made the first charge on the ground where Genl Jackson (Fed) was killed & 13 pieces of cannon taken—in our charge we drove back the Federal Cavalry also one Regt of Infantry & cahrged up to their strong reserve of two Brigades of Infantry supporting their cannon While this was being done& the enemy's fire turned upon us Genl Cheatham Division double quicked it across an open space of 600 yards & came up in time to make the charge entirely successful & we continued driving their broken lines for two miles & until night. With a kiss for my dear Julia & little babe and love to all I am

Affectionately your brother
Frank

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