B. F. Batchelor to his wife - August 3, 1863

Rome Ga
Aug 3rd 1863

My Sweet Love

I have but little news to write from this quiet place, but as opportunity offers of at least starting a letter homeward I improve it to assure my darling of our continued health. We are doing as well as could be expected—war times considered. Rations have assumed prices marvelous even to a soldier, and are doled out as sparingly as though compounded of gold dust and diamonds, yet thanks to a kind Providence, which has blessed the land with a bountiful supply of vegetables, we fare sumptuously every day. It would do you good, my sweet one, to see us at meal time squatting around our mess pans filled with black berry or "Peach Coblers." Then we have snap beans, cabbage, cucumbers, onions, Tomatoes, Irish Potatoes, Beets, Squash, and fruits & melons. Georgia however is the wooden nut-meg land of the South and is people with genuine Money loving Yankees. Teh key to their good will is money, and with it you can almost buy their hopes of Heaven. Our camps are thronged daily with farm people of every size, age, color and sex, who come on foot, with baskets, on horseback, and in carts, with garden "truck" for sale—presenting the lively appearance of a villiage during "Fair Week." At first the prices charged were almost enough to make one's hair stand on end, and gave an itching sensation to the fingers with a desire to squeeze the throat of the extortioner, but we were soon familiarized with prices, and began to think a dollar was not so much after all for a piece of pie the size of one's hand. In a few days the supply brought in, exceeded the demand and down went the prices, until we can actually buy a whole bushel of Potatoes for eight dollars! Bacon one Dollar per lb—but the farmers shake their heads and gravely assure us they will be ruined selling so cheap. This part of the States is full of Refugees from Tennessee and Kentucky, and, coming from States so noted for hospitality you may well imagine it does them good to hate the close fisted Georgians. Among the Refugees I noticed the venerable form of Hon. John Bell 1 —my pet for the Presidency last canvass—He has been in Rome some time; although too old to take the field yet he is every inch the true Southerner. No one can look upon this great man (bending with age) and suppose him partial to anything that smacks of Yankee-dom. George and I have made the acquaintance of Mrs Genl Cosby, 2 Mrs Byers, the sister of the lamented A. Sydney Johnston (Genl) and her two accomplished daughters. Finding I had served under the Genl 3 in the Mexican war and that our Pa was one of his co-patriots and particular friends in the Texas Revolution, they treated us with great kindness, I told one of them (Miss Emma) that George was going to marry as soon as the war ended and return to Texas, and she declared she intended to make that state her home—so you see his marriage prospects are not desperate if time has sprinkled a few grey hairs in his whiskers.We have been resting here since the 12th ult. and our boys (Rangers) are becoming restive and anxious to get a sight of the enemy again. We are to receive marching orders on the 17th of this month, but to what point I've as yet received no indication. We hear thro' Yankee papers that Genl Morgan 4 is captured, but don't believe it. At all events we are anxious to make a raid up North, and give them a chance to bag a Texas Brigade. I am still on Harrison's staff (A.A.G.). Have bought a new uniform. Have George with me—am comfortably situated and if it can be managed to retain him as my assistant, will remain in this position, but if otherwise I've made up my mind to give it up and return to my old Company. Our horses are in fine condition again, which is no small item when it is considered that good one's are selling at from eight hundred to a thousand dollars! Lem is only tolerably well, and is the most home-sick nigger in the army. I believe the fear of falling into the clutches of the Yankees keeps in in constant dread and affects the poor fellow's health. I have a fine supply of clothes for coming Winter with the exception of an overcoat which I expect to borrow from the next Yankee I meet on the battle field. The generous fellows have supplied me with three already and I think another will last me till the war is ended.

[Having no more stationery, apparently, Frank wrote across first page]

I shaved off my mustache the other day just to see how it would feel and was twice taken for a Brigadier General, and once for some "distinguished foreigner in disguise"—My mustache was something less than a yard in length with a most savage curl at the ends—Time has given my face a few additional traces to let me know he is nothing the flight of years, but on the whole I can't think myself much changed. I hope, my darling, you will write often to dear Mother and Sister and send them my letters for it is not often I find opportunity to write home. Kiss little Florence for Pa and always write me of her little pranks, to hear which are so interesting to me. Remember me to all relations and frinds. For the present, my precious love, Goodbye. Your affectionate husband

Frank

 

Footnotes:
1. Hon. John Bell (1797-1869) represented Tenn. in U.S. Congress, then in the Senate, 1847-59. The Constitutional Union Party nominated him for president in 1860.
2. Cosby—Gen. George Blake (1830-1909), probably near Vicksburg at this time.
3. the General—A. S. Johnston was a colonel of the 1st Texas Rifle Volunteers and served with W. O. Butler at Monterrey.
4. Gen. Morgan was captured north of the Ohio River near New Lisbon July 26, 1863, and imprisoned, with his officers. He escaped and returned to be placed in command of the Department of Southwest Virginia in April 1864. Killed in September of that year.

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

 

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