Letter by H. H. Jones to his father Allen K. Jones

Decater Albama March the 12, 62

Dear Father & all
I have concluded to drop you a few lines to let you know where I am I am at Decater Alabama I arrived here thursday evening and was ordered to remain here until my Regiment came, which they told me would be here in a few days. It is not here yet, nor I dont (think it will) be this week, for they have to cover one retreat, consequently will be the last in getting here. I am very uneasy about Chap, for report say that they are skirmishing with the enemies pickets evry night or two, and report say, they have killed five hundred of the enemy since they ahve been at Murphisburrow [Murfreesboro] If I had of known they would have been until this time geting here I should have went to them whether or no. Troops are pooring in here pretty fast one brigade came in this morning commanded by Carriol [Carroll?] under Gen Critiden [Crittenden]. Gen Pillow is here. All of our troops from above will be here in a short time. I think a great many of them will be sent to Memphis. Although preparations indicate that a large force will be stationed here, at this place. There is six large houses puting up here for goverment provisions, large quantities of corn flour and (molasses) shiped to this point There is (not) one steem vesel running on the river to this place. I thought there was one person in my fix, but there is near a thousan men here in the same fix. I found plenty of friends mearly because I was a Texas ranger. The Texas rangers are exterlled to the skies by evry one that has any knowledge or acquaintance with them all like to claim the honor of being in the same brigade with them. The Tennesseans are in very low spirits, especially those that live near the middle part of the state. They say they are going hom as soon as there time is out, to return no more unless we retake Nashville, then they say, they are ready to join us again. I have no more news that would interest you. We had a very cold spel for a few days some snow & rain. My health is tollerably good I take ( ) to hand. Write soon I will write again as soon as my regimetn comes.

Your son until death
H. H. Jones

to Allen K. Jones

The Jones Family Papers, 1861-1862 (C#2235)
Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia, University of Missouri