William Nicholson to his Aunt, December 10, 1862

To Mrs. M. A. Crockeron
Bastrop,
Bastrop Co., Texas.

Camp near Triune, Williamson Co., Tenn.,
Dec. 10th/'62

Dear Aunt—

Another opportunity of writing hom offers itself and I will try and make use of it. I believe a gentleman from Company B leaves this evening. As soon as I learned that this person was going to Texas I came to see Charlie Caldwell who is staying at a house near our camp where we are now both writing home. I would now be out on picket duty by my horse was condemned and I am now afoot. We now send out two companies at a time to picket and they stay out two days at a time. We had quite a heavy snow a few days ago. It has not all disappeared yet. Yesterday we advanced our pickets. I heard some cannonading. Have not yet heard the causalties if any—Gen. John H. Morgan has made another successful dash into the enemy's lines at a point called Hartsville on the other side of the Cumberland River. He attacked the enemy's camp with his cavalry and two regiments of infantry. The enemy were eighteen hundred strong. He killed about five hundred and captured the remainder with two pices of artillery and a number of waggons. Morgan's loss was one hundred killed and wounded. He did not succeed in getting off with all the captured waggons, as he was attacked while recrossing the river. I think the probabilities for a fight between Murfreesboro and Nashville are much better than when I last wrote. Some infantry arrived at this place a few days ago and I believe a general advance is now going on along the whole lines. As we have been so often deceived by military movements I will not say whether we will have a general engagement or a general "Skeedaddle". Gen. McCook I think is now in command at Nashville. Rosecrans has resigned, so says Madame Rumor. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston has arrived at Murfreesboro and is now in command of our army. * * *

I have not yet succeeded in getting a pair of boots and a hat. I have had my boots mended so that they do very well at present. I have been trying for the last two or thre days to get some Nashville money to send to Nashville for a hat, pr. boots and several other little articles. A Mrs. Williams who lives in Triune has made several trips to Nashville and has brought out quite a number of articles for the soldiers. She intends going to Nashville tomorrow and said she would try and bring me what I wanted. * * *

Our Company will all be in this evening and if they have time will write. The health still continues good—very few cases of sickness. My health is good as usual. Ike is also well at least he was when he went on picket. We had an election the other day for 3rd. Lt. W. R. Black, G. B. Zimpleman and J. B. Rogers were the candidates. Black was elected. Ferg. Kyle is now our Capt., G. M. Decherd 1st Lt., W. R. Doak 2nd Lt., W. R. Black 3rd Lt., John Hill Ord. Sergeant. Harrison has received the appointment of Col. Wharton, that of Brig. Gen. * * * A small scout from our regiment went around to the southwest side of Nashville. They captured three Yankee officers. And also attacked a waggon train but did not succeed in capturing any of it. The officers were Lieutenants or captains and they were in a house at the time they were attacked. They surrendered without fighting. Their horses were presented by Gen. Wharton to some of the members of the scouting party. I have no more news worth writing—you must not expect interesting letters from me these dull times.

I have just learned that Morgan captured twenty-three hundred prisoners. Morgan's loss was one hundred and sixty killed and wounded. The enemy were all from Ohio. There is some talk of moving our camp towards Nashville a few miles. * * *

I must now close this letter but I would like to fill the sheet but I don't believe I can. You must give my love to all while I remain

Your affectionate Nephew,
W. 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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