CAMP ON HERNANDO ROAD,
NEAR MEMPHIS,
Oct. 16, 1862.
MY DEAR WIFE:
A stupid publication in the Commercial of the 13th
inst. causes me anxiety lest you should be made to suffer in the belief that I
am the interesting individual referred to. For good or for evil the newspapers
are bound to misspell my name, to destroy my identity, to take away, as far as
possible, my individuality, and now they propose to publish me wounded. I
think, however, your good sense will enable you to locate me right. The number
of my regiment, my brigade and division under General Sherman will enable my
family to place me. There is no telegraph from this point or I would telegraph
you. I have just returned from a reconnoissance into Mississippi. We met no
enemy and had not even a skirmish. I commanded the expedition. Temporarily my
command is somewhat more independent than it was and I have had artillery
assigned to my command in connection with my regiment. My duties are very
active. The weather is cooler, and my health improving. If we should have frost
it would be everything to me.
They had a big fight at Corinth. Many of my personal friends
have gone under, among them Jim Jackson, formerly member of Congress from
Kentucky. I knew him intimately in Washington and renewed my acquaintance with
him before Corinth in the field. His was a gallant, noble spirit. God! how many
of them are gone, to “barter breath for fame.” That was a bloody, bloody fight
while it lasted; I mean the dash on Corinth. Rosecrans has immortalized
himself. He's a splendid soldier. I can't tell what our movements will be;
Sherman knows as little of them as any one; coming events will determine. I do
not think we shall be marched from this point for some weeks, unless upon
expeditions to return.
I am writing as usual hastily, to save the mail; the fact
is, I eat, drink, sleep, walk, ride, talk, write in a hurry. I am hurrying
through life; as poor father used to say, “I was born in a hurry and shall die
in a hurry.” Time never sped so fast with me.
SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of
Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 244-5
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