B. F. Batchelor to his wife - August 23, 1863

Hd. Qrs. Harrisons Brigade
Rome Ga Aug. 23rd 1863

My Sweet Love

I have just heard that my two letters sent by Mr. Haynes and Judge Love fell into the hands of the enemy—and hasten to write again by Mr. Ashby 1 who starts for Texas in the morning. George had intended to go with him, taking Lem, but his health is rather too poor now to undertake a trip of such fatigue and peril. I was willing he should go in order that he might be with you to cheer and comfort the family in my absence, but when the time came for him to pack up he said he could not bear to leave me again, and gave it up; besides there is a prospect of a battle at Chattanooga and he thinks it his duty to stay and participate in it. The Georgians are held in contempt by our solderis because of their parsimoniousness—they are the Yankees of the South. Still we occasionally find some with patriotic hearts. When George took down with his old complaint I went to get a house where he could stay till he recoveerd. I found a place for him at the house of Mr. Ware 2 —a relations of the Price family in Gonzales—they proved to be excellent people and treat him like one of the family. There are two interesting young Ladies and our Poet brother has written to each some pretty lines—so you see he is not in a dangerous condition medicinely speaking. I went to see him yesterday expecting to find him indoors; seeing a wagon and melon cart some distance down the road surrounded by eager buyers I called by, when who should appear in the centre of the load rummaging lustily among the melons but our invalid. I think he will be stout enough for duty in a few days. George has opened a lively correspondence with his relatives in Alabama with whom he is a great favorite. As you take so much interest, darling, in all that relates to my welfare I will mention that I am well provided with clothing (full uniform) and sport a pair of the finest water-proof high top boots in the Army—lacking nothing but an overcoat which I expect to borrow from the Yankees in the next fight. George is also tolerably well supplied, and between us, the gentleman from Africa (Lem) fares better than most of his complexion. I have been trying to have my likeness taken for you but there is no artist in the Rome—will therefore merely state that time has wrought but little change in the appearance of your old man—The most observable alteration in my face is the growth of an immense moustache which gives me a decidedly military—not to say savage—expression. Woe betide the luckless barber who by accident in shaving cuts off one of these favorite ornaments. I mentioned in one of my letters that Lieut Baylor had arrived some months ago and delivered the things you and Cousin Eugenia were so kind to send us. All the officers in my old Company are willing I should be allowed a frulough to visit home, so also Col Harrison and Genl Wharton, but Genl Bragg will not grant another while the enemy holds his present position in Tennessee. I think the Genl might permit the married men of our Regt to visit their homes once a year, especially as it would undoubtedly be for "the benefit of the public service" in case of a protracted war—in view of keeping them contented & from being homesick, you nkow. Ah! me, how wearily drags the time when so many miles and months are jammed in between ourselves and those we love. How idle the thought that we can ever forget the cruel wrongs we have suffered from the hands of our enemies, or anything uproot the deep seated hatred this war has created. This State is crowded with refugees (mostly women and children) who have been driven from their homes by reason of their sympathies with the South. To see them crowded into all sorts of "old timey" buildings, without half the conveniences enjoyed by the poorer classes before the war, causes strange emotions. The sedate Statesman John Bell who once aspired to the Presidency and doubtless indulged into bright dreams of brilliant levees given to distinguished foreigners at the Capital, is now seen rolling through the streets of Rome in quite a dilapitated two-horse vehicle, too old and crazy to be used for a Negro Ball. The wives of Ex Senators, Congressmen, and Generals are huddled under the same roof with women whose husbands aspired to nothing higher than shoving the Jack Plane; Children used to beautiful play grounds at High-School and Colleges now hang around dingy yards and streets wearing thread bare clothes, more striking because they exhibit the marks of fineness and gentility some time passed. The war has made strange companions and left its hand on all around us. But I am proud to observe that in spite of all our noble women suffer, and as much as their sufferings cause them to sigh for peace and a return to their former homes of opulence and happiness, yet they spurn the thought of laying down arms on any other terms than recognition of our independence. I shall never take a fancy to Georgia. She has the hottest days, the reddest hills and the most flies of any state under the sun. We have been resting here more than a month but we will hail with pleasure the hour which calls us to the field again. From present appearances this will soon come—We learn the enemy has commenced shelling Chattanooga from across the River, and it is reported they are trying to cross their forces over to make an attack on this side. The Confidence of our Army is still unshaken in Genl Bragg—and with equal chances we are not afraid to see him measure length with Genl Rosecrans or any one else from Yankeedom. Tell Pa I saw Genl Scott Anderson 3 —Ex Sec. of State—while on the retreat from Tullahoma. I saw him in one engagement with the enemy and think him a gallant officer. My love I write this letter, as I have written many others, not knowing you will receive it, in fact I think the chances are against it, but I will not permit any opportunity to go unimproved, and when a person goes to Texas from this Army & has no letter for you—you may be assured my sweet pet that he went off without it being generally known. Our precious Child is now two and a half years old, and must be able to talk considerably. I earnestly hope her Pa may be able to get to go home before her third birthday is celebrated at Oakland and witneess for himself those pranks of which my love so delights to write and I to hear—With love to all, I am Dearest your affectionate husband

Frank

Footnotes:
1. Mr. Ashby—Capt. Travis B. Ashby, sone of John M. (one of DeWitt's colonists), was reared, after his father's death, by his older sister Ann (Mrs. Bartlett McClure). They lived in Gonzales County east of Peach Creek..
2. Mr. Ware—James A., of Rome, where George stayed on convalescent leave October 1863-January 1864.
3. Genl Scott Anderson—This title may have been a courtesy one. He probably referred to Col. Thomas Scott Anderson, who was at Chickamauga in September 1863. He had been Secretary of State under Gov. H. R. Runnells, 1857-59.

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