William Nicholson to Mary A. Nicholson, October 14, 1861

Bowling Green, Ky.
Oct. 14th, 1861

Dear Sister--

We rec'd orders in our Camps (near Nashville) yesterday morning about 2 o'clock to get up and cook rations for 3 days. Of course we did not know what we had to do during the next 2 or 3 days, but it was soon noised about that our destination was Bowling Green, Ky., that a considerable force of Federalists were concentrating near that place and that we would probably have to fight them the next morning. We were to start from Nashville at 8 o'clock but we did not get off until sundown. We arrived here about 1 o'clock this morning. We have rec'd no further orders yet, and the Federal troops are not so near as we expected. I do not know exactly their distance from us. I have heard that their headquarters is about 40 miles off. There are some few that are considerable closer--some 20 or 30 miles distant and probably less. Day before yesterday a little skirmish took place not very far from here in which several Federals were killed and among them a Field Officer. I could not learn all the particulars. I do not think our side lost any. There are 6 Federal prisoners in the guard house in this place, one of them is Col. The town is well guarded all the time. We are camped about 3/4 mile from town. There are some 24,000 troops camped about here at present and they are coming in all the time. I suppose we will have a big fight before long. We have not got all our horses yet and the balance of our regiment have not arrived yet. They will be here in a day or two. We stayed in Nashville one week, and have been from Houston just one month yesterday, and I have rec'd but one letter from home.

I sent 3 pieces of music to your address from Nashville, viz: "The Bonnie Blue Flag", "The Flag of the South" and the "Minstrel Boy". The last named piece you will please give to "Lou" for me. I heard the "Bonnie Blue Flag" sung by the author in the theatre at N.O. and I thought it beautiful. He sang it twice for us. * * * Nashville is a very pretty place. It is very hilly and a great many trees are in the town. I went to town only twice. The Capt. only allowed 6 or 8 to go at a time--and to stay only 4 hours, but I made out to stay all day each time. I first got permission to go on business and to stay until 4 o'clock in the evening. My pass was written on the 7th and through mistake dated the 8th. The guard did not notice the mistake nor did I till the next day, when I made it answer as a new pass. I went to see the State house--some persons consider it the finest house in the U.S. It is built of marble, nearly everything about it is of the same material even the stairstep and railings. There are a great many curiosities there, among them an Egyptian Mummy. The legislature was in session and John C. Breckenridge was there. * * *

We are engaged today in moulding bullets and rubbing up our guns. There is a company of Flying Artillery drilling about 200 yds. from us. They look very pretty. They shoot off the cannons every once in a while and then their guns. We brought several pieces of rifled cannon with us from Nashville. * * *

You must send all your letters to Nashville until you receive further directions and direct them in the care of Capt. S. C. Ferrill of Col. Terry's Regiment, Texas Rangers or I will not get them. * * *

Give my love to all.

From your affectionate Brother,

Wm. Nicholson

Jones, Margaret Belle, ed. Bastrop; a compilation of material relating to the history of the town of Bastrop, with letters written by Terry Rangers. Bastrop: NP. 1936.

 

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