Shelbyville, Tenn
Apl 19th 1863
Jas. M. & T A Loves

Dear Parents,
I wrote about the time I left Unionville down in the S.W. Cor of Bedford County which I think was about three weeks ago I am still well except Diarrhoea which does not seem to be any better than for some time past. The last I knew of Terry Wilie was when I left the wagons at Unionville he was not entirely well at that time but not worse than myself and would have been with us but for his horse not being able to stand the trip. The Limestone County boys generally are in good health except Diarrhoea which is common among our Regt. no doubt on account of the kind of diet we have to eat which is nothing but bacon and bread no vegetables of any kind except as we can get them from the citizens which is hard to do as there are so many cavalry all over the country and things of this kind scarce. Sam and Joe Bake are with Vandorn at Spring Hill between Columbia and Franklin. Sam wrote to me that John had been left in Miss—when they started up here and was unwell at the time he had not heard from him and did not know but that the Yankees had got him or that he may have died—I hope not the latter but want you to write any thing you may have learned about him. I want to know also any thing you may know about Jas. I saw cousin John Webb before we left Unionville he and family were at Cousin Jas. Marshals a son I think of Lt. Gilbert Marshal—There are three of them Jas., John & Robt. living at or near a little place called Chapel Hill—Their unlce old John Marshal lives in Franklin—There are several other Marshals living near Franklin—Cousin John Webb has been married twice—his last wifes virgin name was Norris (Margaret Norris) their oldest child is a daughter Elizabeth the next a boy Amasa then Margaret, then another little boy whose name I have forgotten and their baby, Jas Hunter—Cousin John is rather lying out from as by staying at home he is in great danger of being taken by the enemy and if recognized by those who were at Murfresboro last year he is in danger of being hung a thing which they threatened to do if they could get him when they took Old uncle Amasa—There are a great many unionists in nearly all parts of this state many of them became reporters when the enemy were in here last year—Some one of whom reported that old uncle Amasa hauled some Confederate Soldiers from his house down to Shelbyville on which account they took him prisoner and kept him there till he died.

We went up near Nashville about ten days ago and about five hundred went down to the R.R. between Nashville and Murfresboro captured a train & destroyed it and also about one hundred of the enemy after killing some thirty or forty—the boys among them get some thirty or forty thousand dollars in green backs—another party went to the Cumberland River where the Railroad runs under the bank of the River and shot an engine to pieces and possibly killed some stock on the train—another party went across toward Boling Green and captured two telegraph batteries another went to Hartsville killed four yankees and captured fifteen together with a suttler wagon which was loaded with good things to eat drink and wear and also about 50 head of beef cattle. We have heard that the yankees were advancing from Nashville and also from Murfresboro for the purpose of attacking us but whether it is so or not I cannot tell since this is the second day since (according to report) they should have been here. They certainly know our strength and will not be likely to come unless with a large force of both infantry and cavalry—Felix Kennedy and Wm. Slaughter who were taken prisoners at Murfresboro have been exchanged and are now back at the Brigad wagons.

Nothing of importance to write.

Yours with filial regard &c.
C. W. Love