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Bright Spot
Jan the 9th 1863
My Dear Brother
I have a good opportunity to mail a
letter to morrow so I write, knowing you are always
glad to hear from home, wether I have any news or
not, we are all well, Julia has been right sick. she is
better now; we are anxious to hear from you and Bud
Josie, we had no mail last week, perhaps we would
have received a letter from some of you.
There is nothing very new with us, the people are
astir bout the great battle at Murfreesboro; I rode
over to see Cousin Martha Baldwin yesterday even-
ing. saw all the late papers, I tell you I read them
eagerly; I was very much alarmed for fear Trinley
would get in range of some guns, I did n't see any
thing bout Hilliard's Legion, they all think they
were not engaged, when I received the last letter
they were above Knoxville, but the enemy were
heavily reinforced, and I dare say they were sent
to Murfreesboro; I feel very anxious bout it any
how; The papers say we are victorious so far, it
is not decided yet, it is the hardest fought battle
of the war; surely there will be some move for
peace after this victory. I saw a list of the casualties
in Col Mitchell's Regt; Captain John Carter, Matt Hales
and Mr Warren were wounded. I believe I wrote to
Bud Josie that we heard Cousin Green was alive
and would be home soon; it was a mistake
Dr. Jones saw Cousin John this week, he told him
he had just heard from him, he died last Septem-
ber, poor fellow, how sorry I am, I always thought
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he was dead or he would have written home. Brother
Phil we are so happy to hear you were well and
better satisfied, but we are as anxious to hear from
you now, where you are, &c; I suppose Tobe has reached
you by this time. I know you were glad to see some one
that could tell you bout us all. There is nothing new
since he left, we are all busy. Mother is working in
the yard and garden; White is busy at the plantation
he is doing very well, but has bad luck to lose the
hogs. a good many have died with the cholera,
every body is losing their hogs; Billie Barnet and Elsie
Smith and at home, they are fat, look well, they came to
see us monday and Carrie Halliday. Mary Smith & Mary
Barnet they are all in a great glee now the Boys
have come, they had a party at Mr Barnet's last
night. White & [Sallie ?] went. Sallie Blakey is married
to Dr. John Farley. brother to Joe Farley. I was surprised
I suppose you have heard of Dr. Pope's marriage to
Miss Brown. There is considerable sickness in the
neighborhood, we have been blessed so far, Uncle Clem
is riding all the time; Ben Phil is very sick, of Pneu-
monia. Brother Phil our office is broken up here
I dont know when we will have a mail again, no
body takes any interest in it, it vexes me, you must
write as soon as you receive this and direct to
Union Springs, there is always some passing from
this neighborhood, if not we can send up there, I
will write to you if they establish another mail
here; Mother says you must write often she is always
anxious to hear from you, she sends her best love
to you & Bud Josie; the children send their love, Bessie
is nearly crazy to see you. I wish you could come
home if it is only to stay a little while, As soon as
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you go into winter quarters apply for a furlough, we all want to see you so very
much The baby is well and mighty sweet he rides on my foot to see you all every
night, after I put on his night gown, you might see how he laughs & enjoys it, he
hears so much of you are I think he will know you when you come; I must close
Excuse this. I was obliged to write in a hurry, I will write again soon; give my
love to Bud Josie & Tobe, write soon, very soon, good bye, as ever your own
affectionate Sister
Mary Lou Williamson
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P. S. I wrote to Bud Joe the other day tell
him to write to me. Melissa has a
baby girl, named "Ella Christine"
Fitzpatrick Mitchell Williamson Papers
