B. F. Batchelor to his wife - July 7, 1863

Near Trenton Ga
July 7th 1863

My Dearest Julia

I find myself somewhat unexpectedly nearer home than when last writing. On the 24th ult our pickets notified us that the enemy had appeared and was pressing them vigorously aobut 15 miles from Shelbyville. Our Brigad was soon in readiness and went to the front to support them. On arriving there we found him in strong force with Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery while his long train of wagons, to be seen stretching as far as the eye could reach up the pike, convincced us that something more than an ordinary skirmish was intended. The firing opened briskly and continued until about 4 P.M. when couriers from the right and left flanks came in reporting the enemy advancing in like heavy force on all the approaches from Murfreesboro, and driving our inadequate picket force before them. Finding the two wings had been driven back two or three miles we had to retire also, though the enemy had been unable to drive us a foot from our position. It had then been raining several days and the roads were in dreadful condition but our men were in fine spirits for they thought the time had come when another battle and victory would give us the possession of Tennessee. It would be tedious for me to detail the numerous skirmishes and marches, some of them in the night, the rain pouring in torrents, which ensued until the 27th when it was found that Genl Rosecrans with an immense army divided into three columns was vigorously passing down on our right flank towards Tullahoma via Manchester, thus dividing our fortifications in front of Shelbyville—Our military men think Genl Bragg ought to have attacked the corps nearest our position and thus forced the enemy to stop and fight or destroy that part of his army, but I am not sufficiently skilled in the science of war to say whether such a move was practicable or not; probably our force had been too much weakened by reinforcements sent Genl Johnston to justify it. It now became evident that we had to fall back and we were ordered over to the right to protect the retreat of our army. No one unacquainted with service can properly estimate the task of the Cavalry on a retreat—Theirs is the duty of scouring the enemy lines night and day and reporting his movements—they are constantly in sight of the advancing foe, fighting him at every favorable position, hurrying up the jaded Infantry, obstructing the roads, and often standing under severe fires of his Artillery, or resisting the charges of his Cavalry—On the 29th we reached Tullahoma and found it teeming with our foot soldiers. It was not fortified as well as we expected to find it but the works were being rapidly strengthened and none doubted our ability to maintain thte place if it was attacked. We were thrown out on the right towards Manchester & guarded it till the evening of the 1st inst when it was found the enemy were still passing to the rear and had flanked Tullahoma and threatened to cut off our retreat across Elk River. In haste Genl Bragg was compelled to put his army in motion and abandon his fortifications at that place. From this time till we crossed the Tennessee River at Bridge Port we were in the saddle, and wet to the skin by the rain—fighting the enemy several times each day—The Cavalry did excellent service and punished the enemy severely on many occasions. In one instance the 11th Texas held their position three hours against a superior force of the enemy's Infantry and drove them back—In another the glorious Rangers were attacked about daylight by three Regts of Cavalry (as stated by prisoners captured in the fitht) and after two charges drove them back and held them in check till our reserve lines were formed and they were ordered to fall back. We protected the retreat of our Army so effectively that not a man of the Infantry fell into the hands of the enemy after leaving Shelbyville. We are now on this side of the Tennessee River, and it is understood we are ordered to this pleasant valley of Georgia (called "Wills Valley") to recruit our horses and remount those whose horses have been killed in action, or worn out with hard service. George and I find ourselves well and unhurt though many a gallant soldier has fought his last fight. George has at last become convinced that keeping a Negro in camps is poor policy and is determined to send Lem home the first safe hands—the poor boy is overjoyed at the idea of going home for although he has never been in harm's way yet he often hears the roar of cannon and is as afraid of Yankees as death. Lem has been a faithful and willing boy, but no servant can be of much service to a Cavalryman who is rarely ever in camps. I wrote a letter some months ago to Mr. Law 1, (Hearing he thought himself slighted) and recd a lengthy (12 pages) and interesting history of the people of Gonzales since I left there. I also recd a few days since a letter from Sister Charlotte Winne and one from Mr. Chenault of Gonzales enquiring about his son Stephen 2 whom he feared captured. I shall answer the three letters by first opportunity; have only time to write this hurried letter tonight. If you write to any one in Gonzales send Mr. Chenault word his son is with the Rangers and well—I saw him on the last battle field and handed his fathers letter to him—Darling do not be cast down down in spirit because we have had to evacuate a portion of Tennessee. No doubt it was for the best. There will be times of gloom as well as rejoicing in a mighty contest like this, and putting our faith where it ought to rest, we must wait in patience the will of our Heavenly Father. I fear I have written a very dull letter to my sweet love but it has been peneed with many scribblers at the same shaky table, each driving their pens with rail road volasity to get them off in time—but the heart is none the less warm thanof yore though the weary brain refuses to respond as I could wish—Wish love to all, and many prayers for the safety & happiness of my sweet wife and babe, I am, dearest, your affectionate

Frank

Footnotes:
1. Mr. Law—John, at whose home Frank had boarded when he first went to Gonzales. He was postmaster in 1853.
2. Stephen Chenault—Co. E, from Gonzales. He was reported missing at Knoxville Nov. 22, 1863, and paorled at Charlotte, N. C., May 3, 1865, but there's no proof he was a prisoner at that time.

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