John W. Hill to Mary Scott Hill - May 6, 1862

Miss M. S. Hill

Dear Sister
though I have not heard from any of you sinse Dick Royston left home yett I fell it my duty to write by eavry one that is going to Texas. We are now on our way up in Tenn We will cross the River tomorrow We will then be in the rear of all the Enemys forces that are at Corinth We expect to have very severe servise when we git there We have about thirty five hundred cavalry three pieces of artillery. We are all well except Bro Tom he has taken severe cold and has had some fever but is up to go. Bro Bob & Capt. Ferill left us whilest we were at Corinth and went down to Aberdine. And I have not heard from him sinse Butt he was looking a great eale better when he left us the last time. Cosin Nish left us at Ri-Enyas and went to Memphis with Mr. Hunt And has not returned yett through we are looking for him eavry day. Dick Royston left us whiles we were at Corinth went down in Miss withe his Brother-inlaw. And has not returned yett though we are looking for him every day. Scotts & Morgans Cavalry came up here ahead of us Scotts Regment crossed the River. Several dayes ago went up to Athens in Tenn attacked one Regiment of Infantry and two hundred Yankes Cavelry and shiped them they took twenty prisoners five wagons & teames Burned them a R. R. Bridge. And whilest the Bridge was on fire there was a freight train withe 260 sacks of coffee besids a greate eale of other freight and turn into the Fire and All was burned up They took a great many gunns Ammunition and tents. Frank McGuire is still down at his Uncles below Gra-Junction. Jim 39 says when he left him that he was a great deal better. You must excuse all mistakes as this is written in haste My Love to all and axcept the same for yourselfe

Your Bro
[Jno. W. Hill]

We have heard that they have had a big fight in Virginia that Lee & Johnson were bothe killed on our Side that McClellon was a prisoner And that we had gained a Glorious victory I hope that it may prove true all the boyes Send there Love to you all We are now camped about eight miles from Courtland near the Tennass River. We are in a very rich country have plenty of forage for our horses and plenty for our Selves

Footnotes:
39. Jim--Jim McGuire, a brother of Frank McGuire. They were cousins of the Hills.

Goldman, Pauline S., ed., Letters from three Members of Terry's Texas Rangers, 1861-1865, Unpublished MA Thesis, University of Texas, 1930.