| Title: | R. H. Kelly, Bridgeport, Alabama to "My Ever Dear Wife" |
|---|---|
| ID | 1601 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Kelly, Robert H/7 |
| Year | 1864 |
| Sender | Kelly, Robert H. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | soldier |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Bridgeport, Alabama, USA |
| Destination | unknown |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | husband-wife |
| Source | The Kelly Family Documents: Copyright Retained by The UlsterAmerican Folk Park |
| Archive | The Ulster American Folk Park |
| Doc. No. | 300010 |
| Date | 13/03/1864 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 14:03:00. |
| Word Count | 595 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Page 1] Bridgeport Ala [Alabama?] March 13th/64 My Ever Dear Wife This is a beautiful warm sunday morning and my thoughts naturally & involuntarily turns home wards & I wonder what you are doing and thinking of at this hour, perhaps writing as is your usual custom on sunday. I have thought much and often about you all since I left. I wrote to Geo [George?] yesterday, and this is the third letter to you since we got here, and yet we have not been here a week - pretty good, for a beginning. There is no army news of importance here, only rumours. The most important one is, that we are going back to the Army of the Potomac It was announced in the telegraph news yesterday in the "Nashville Union" However I do not credit the report [Page 2] and yet it may be true. Should we go I would have an opportunity of seeing [Harry?]. We are all in good health and nearly rested from our long R.R. [railroad?] ride. I have never read that letter you spoke of containing a note marked private. Bridgeport is the point where the Nashville & Chattanooga R.R. [railroad?] crosses the Tennessee river. There is an island in the river opposite this place about « a mile wide & of course it requires two bridges as the road runs across the island. These two bridges Bragg destroyed last summer on his retreat. They are now rebuilt, and the road is open all the way to Chattanooga. About ten trains run up every day & the same number down, it is by this road the Army of the Cumberland receive their supplies, and we are here to protect & hold these bridges. They are very long & high, and of course of very great importance to the Army [Page 3] I think I told you how Col Tom Ahl acted, and by misrepresentations to Gen [General?] Thomas, got the 28th off home. Well he has returned with the 28th to this place, and finds charges preferred against him, and seeing no chance to escape Court Martial & disgrace, He has resigned, and he will receive no pay for his services as Colonel. So much for Col Ahl, Our Officials are all well, save "Baldy" alias Capt McG. He was in the shanty with me yesterday, and was complaining of rheumatism, after that terrible long R R. ride. He desires to be remembered to you. Dunlery is still in Piltsby, he was left there to bring on some recruits But if he brings himself on he will do well. We left Tom Morgan also he had the "Mania [poter?]" was pulling hairs out of his nails. We have not heard from him since we left - I suppose he is in Piltsby yet. [Page 4] Well I think I have given you news enough for this time. We have not yet changed our quarters. Gen Geary went to Tullahoma yesterday to see Gen [Sloame?] I hope you are all well. I feel anxious to hear from you. I was dreaming about Grand pa last night I hope he is still well. I also had a strange dream about Mother. I wish you to send me their address - I will write to them. No word of pay yet. I must write to Mary to day. so I must close. My kind regards to all inquiring friends My love to Them Grand Ma & Pa Mary & Tom - I will write to them as soon as we are settled, also to Ham & yourself. I am My Dear Wife Ever truly & Affectionately Your Husband R.H. Kelly R.H Kelly Kelly RH H Kelly R H Kelly R R H Kelly Kelly Kelly R. H Kelly [Na-uialeza?] |
