Headquarters First Brigade,
Fourth Div., Seventeenth Army Corps,
Department Of The Tennessee,
“Camp Kilby,” Miss., Dec. 15, 1863.
My
Dear Mother:
I am glad you were
pleased with the pictures, though I think they were all wretched. I do assure
you I was anything but sad when mine was taken; indeed, we were all in a high
frolic. I believe it is the general expression of my countenance when in
repose. General Grant's was a very fine one till the painter ruined it with his
daub. The group is worth keeping and will be historical.
Our weather here is
most delightful; until within a day or two perfectly pleasant without a fire.
Yesterday a thunderstorm and to-day bright, clear, and bracing, something like
your October weather. My camp is outpost in a very wild, broken, barren
country. I am in front, and nearest to the enemy. We exchange compliments
occasionally. Yesterday the caitiffs captured a couple of my men who had
ventured beyond the guard line. So we are on the qui vive, and that keeps
the blood stirred.
I have left a life
of great luxury at Natchez — “fortune la guerre.”
SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of
Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 344
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