To Lieutenant Frederick
Fleet, 26th
Cousin Fred,
I trust that this letter
finds you and your family well. Your brother Bennie has been rather active this
winter in writing and keeping us informed of his improving skills at hunting
squirrels. For a fifteen year old he has quite a penchant for correspondence.
He has made it quite clear that he hopes to join you with the 26th
Bennie ought not be
dissatisfied that he cannot go into the service. It is not his fault that he is
not old enough to fight, and if all boys of his age were to neglect their
education and join the army, it would be disastrous to our next generation. His
time will come soon enough, although I am certain that your Ma and Pa would be
glad, as so many of us would be, of a quick end to this conflict in favor of
our cause.
This weekend past the 44th
The affair was quite grand,
taking place at the Carriage House in the
The fare was extensive and
we dined on scallops, flounder and roast beef courtesy of our Northern hosts. I
can assure you that there was no shortage of Southern Comfort at our table.
Betty has put in a sizable
crop of all of sorts this year and has had a large hog butchered for bacon,
chops and ham steaks, and we feel that it is the imperative duty of everyone to
cultivate as much as possible, as we are in much more danger of scarcity of
food than we are of danger from our enemy.
What a difference in our
army now and this time last year. It seems obvious that our men are in good
spirits, having been granted victories in
From the present
indications, there will likely be a forward movement of the Yankee army about
The upcoming campaign
promises to be a rewarding one. It will do this heart good to once again share
a campfire adorned by the banners of the 44th Georgia and the Stars
and Bars of our fledgling Country.
Respectfully submitted, For
the Cause, I remain
Yours truly, Corp. James
Marshall