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Camp near Alisonia Nov 18th 1862
Dear Fannie I wrote you a letter and
sent by Thom Page 3 or 4 days ago. I
expect he did not go on home and am
afraid you did not get it I have
no idea how long we will stay here
We have orders to keep on hand two
days provisions "cooked" and be ready
to move at a moments notice which
means that we may move in an hour
or in 2 months, either. I have my
hands full nearly all the time, making
reports requisitions, drilling etc.
My health still continues good – very
good better than it has been for
years. I have gained considerable flesh
and the boys all say I am fat I don't
see much fat about it but feel strong
and hearty We are getting along pretty
well in the way of fare Get 2 days
Bacon and 5 days beef a week and a very
scant allowance of salt, but enough to
[in the margins:]Tell Em or let her read that she must turn the cold shoulder to all the boys that are trying to evade the calls of their country for their [service?] unless they can get some [fat?] office or position at home all these young school teachers conscript agents [illegible]
What are [illegible] have you had any [illegible]
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make out on. The privates have also
drawn lard to go with their beef
I could not get any nor could any of
the officers, but I get enough to
eat of substantial food, and I will
not complain I have to pay 25 cents for
bacon 12c a pound for flour and from 8 to 12
for beef 20 to 25 for pork $3.00 for soda
etcettera etc. The health of the company
or those that are with us is tolerable
good. W. B. Page is a little sick
and Sam Goggans also but not enough
to make any one uneasy about
them. There appears to be some
prospect of getting some clothing
for the boys. If we can get it I
think we will get along very well
I hear rumors of fighting between
Nashville and this place, don't know
whether it is so or not.
If you write to me, direct your
letters to Allisonia, Tenn until
you can hear further. Some of
[in the margins:][illegible] come home [illegible]
Mr. Terry wants to hire Masiah and tells me that he proffered to pay her hire for this year if he could hire for next. I have made no agreement with him here and shall not until I hear from you. You know more about Opelika affairs than I do.
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The boys have got letters here directed
to Chattanooga but I have got
none yet since I left Knoxville.
I would like very much to hear
from home. Capt Flournoy's
resignation has been accepted and
he is soon out of the service
I hear flying rumors that Jimmy
Lockhart and some other paroled prisoners,
is in Jackson Miss. I hope it is
so. I have not heard from Gintry, Fletcher
and the others that were left behind
when we left Perryville Ky. Yet
I think that the most of them are
alive and will get home again.
I don't know how many times I
have written to you since I got a letter
from you. I am afraid our letters
misscarry. Never miss a chance to
send by hand The mails are so uncertain.
Tell Brownfield to send me some Tobacco
and send me some old rags for towels dish
rags etc 4 or 5 little bags for Salt, Pepper, spice, soda
[in the margin:][illegible] you [illegible] I think though he will be able to pay for [illegible]. I prefer hiring to farmers to be paid in corn wheat or meat but exercise your own judgment I promised Perry to write to you about it and let him know pretty soon, if you are willing to hire to him let me know the price so I can tell [Terry]
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and one about as big as a pillow case for
flour Send some red pepper or pepper sauce
I hear that there will be a box
of chlothing sent on to the company
and so you can get R.J.B. to put in
such things as you can conveniently
send to me. be sure to have every
thing marked plainly that I may
know mine from the others
Now I have bothered you enough
I really think that I have written
for enough things in this letter and
others to keep you busy for the next
two or three months but you need
not break yourself down to send
them. I know you will try too hard
to fix up. if you can't get them
ready easy I can get along very well
without them until you can get them
ready. Send first some pants
socks, a vest, over shirts & the net shirt.
God bless our little children. May God bless you all
Tell Ma - Sister - Em and all to Write G.W. Cherry
[in the margin:]How is Nick is he at home if he is tell him to write to a body
tell [illegible] all about Fate & Nancy and let him know that I would be very glad to hear from him
Can't you send a letter by Liut William or is he coming on soon
I hear that Mr Collins is coming on soon
Cherry Family Civil War Letters
