Headquarters District Of South Alabama,
Fort Gaines, Ala., March 21, 1865.
My Dear Wife:
I cannot express the sorrow and chagrin I felt at being
compelled to leave you and our dear little boy so abruptly. I know it must be
many days, that it may be many weeks, before I can with reason hope to receive
assurance of your safety, and you may judge my present anxiety. Were it not for
the fact that I have schooled my mind to dismiss apprehensions for the future,
I should be heartsick indeed, and whatever philosophy I bring to my aid, I
shall not be happy till I learn of your safe arrival at home. I could not
foresee so rapid a movement of troops or so urgent a necessity for my instant
departure from New Orleans, or I should not have assumed the responsibility of
bringing you down. And if anything untoward happens, my conscience will never
cease to reprove me for an act selfish, if not unjustified, though apart from
the pleasure of your society I hoped benefit to your health.
The enclosed orders will show my command and present
address. The latter I have reason to hope will very shortly, with my
headquarters, be at “Mobile.” Meanwhile, letters addressed to me as commanding
District Southern Alabama, will reach me via New Orleans.
SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of
Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 381-2
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