Headquarters 54TH Regt. O. V. Inf.,
On Board Steamer “Sunny South,”
Saturday, Dec. 20,
1862.
I have this moment received your letter enclosing two from
the children of the 13th Dec. I cannot pretend to make answer to them now, for
orders have suddenly come and I am in all the hurly burly of excitement and
embarkation of troops — no easy matter.
This expedition is fraught with great results one way or
another. We cannot look into futurity. I note by the children's letters all the
little household events that so much interest you. I am with you in spirit
always. Remember, dear wife, I am always true to you and my dear children and
my darling mother and my sweet sister — you are all with me now in spirit as I
write, and often — so often — with me in the dark hours on the march and the
bivouac and the excitement of battle. I often think of you as I grasp the sword
or force the spur. Many a bound has Bell made when my heel, responsive to my
heart, has goaded his panting side, — but enough of all this trouble. I can't
write now. The sweet music of the band is pealing forth, the landing is crowded
with forty thousand troops and all their paraphernalia — transportation,
munitions of war. — All is haste, yet haste in order. Memphis has been kind to
me. Do you believe, I have more friends in Memphis to-day, outside of the army,
I mean, than I have in Cincinnati. It is so, and I have the most substantial
proofs of their friendship. Houses, servants, equipages, everything of luxury
has been forced upon me. I have been the favored guest. All this I 'll tell you
of, or write you some other time. Some of these friends will be lifelong to me,
and in times like these that is not saying much.
Write me to follow the regiment, though I fear it will be a
good while before I hear from you or you from me, and now I can't say to horse,
but to steamboat, brave gallants all, death's couriers, Fame and Honor, call us
to the field again.
SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of
Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 249-50
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