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Tilman M. Daniel Letters to his wife, Laura, during the Civil War |
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Tilman M. Daniel Letters to his wife, Laura, during the Civil War |
Savanah, Georgia
December 18, 1864
My Dear Wife
It has been several weeks since I wrote you from the fact that we have had no mail communication until now and I fear that we mill not have the pleasure of writing long as Shermans lines now extend around the city excepting a small outlet on the North Carolina side of the river.
It is the impression of all that we will be prisoners soon. But I have more confidence in our Genral. Our Brigade has been dismounted and our horses been sent up the country a hundred miles. Capt Brown is in charge of the Regt horses; Westley is in charge of my two horses. Never have I been so completely trumpted and discouraged in all my life. There is no telling when we will be remounted and I know I will not be able to stand infantry long, besides we were not allowed any time to prepare,
Ionly,have one shirt with me, left all my clothes with Westley and money with Capt Brown $300.00. 1 only supposed that we would remain dismounted a few days. But alas I fear it will be a long time.
My Dear, if any thing should happen that I am killed or taken prisoner I want you to take my two fine horses as your own property and take good care of them. I have instructed Westley to take them home in the event of my capture or death. Bt My Dear Wife I am more hopefull than to think seriously of either kind Providence has guided me safe for near four years and I am still hopefull though prospects are dark all Around, even now while I write the bullets from the sharpshooters are flying over our heads thick and fast and Sherman is drawing his lines closer around the city. If we fail to hold the city we of course will all go up with it.
Oh God how I wish I had joined Forrest when I had the chance. But it is too late to lament. I will only try to bear it all and I hope you will not become despondent but look forward to the happy hour when we shall meet again.
In the event that I am wounded I want you to send for me by Mr. Rawls. If you should fail to get anyone to come you must come yourself if I am anywhere in the Confederacy. My Dear you must excuse this letter as I am almost completely exhausted from the march we have just taken. Yesterday we marched on foot fifteen miles and my faet are blistered andmind disturbed from the darkness that does surround me.
Kiss my dear Littles ones and pray for my deliverance and safety. Love to the family and write soon.
T.M. Daniel
Copyright 1998-2005 Richard Collins, All Rights Reserved
