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Regiment: 11th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, George B. McClellan
Headquarters
11th Michigan Volunteers Nashville
Dec. 3rd 1862 Friend Kate, With pleasure last night I received your kind letter of the 26
th of November. I was much pleased to see that you had not forgotten me for I waited long and patiently for an answer. But your letter explained the reason why it did not come. So you came near giving me a scolding did you. Well I have got so used to being scolded by the ladies that I do not mind it anymore. You know they must scold just so much anyhow whether they have a reason or not and the dear creatures I do not blame them any for it. Seems to do them a great deal of good and don’t hurt me any. But I wrote to you whenever I thought there was any chance of a letter going through to you so I hope you will not find any fault. Give my respects to Bridelle Perry and tell him I wish him all the happiness this world affords to human being. You tell me that you are going to wait until the soldiers return before you marry. That will do very well to tell but I fear that you will soon forget it. You know ladies quite subject to change their minds about such things and perhaps it may be the case with you. You think that Mary is waiting for me I guess she is for I presume that she does not think of me once a year unless some one mentions my name and she has hard work to recollect of every seeing me. Weal they have at last succeeded in superseding General McClellan, a matter they have been trying to do all summer and as you say keeping troops back from him instead of reinforcing when they should have done so. But he did not suit their policy and must go down. They are not trying to put down this war. It is the almighty nigger they are after. The republican party say they are not abolitionists but I say they are. And if you will show me one I will show you a man that will prove himself an abolitionist and Lincoln orders and proclamations have all fallen. I defy you to put your finger on one proclamation that has been carried out. And they are a laughing stock for the Southern Confederacy and I would be almost willing to bet me life this war does not close until Lincoln’s term of office expires and the Democratic party comes into power once more. They brought old Abe as they called him as the man for the times but he has failed. He lacks the determination and that iron will which a ruler in a time like this should have. He may be a good rail splitter and perhaps can see from one end of a rail to the other but he got beyond his place when he undertook to handle this Army. He cannot see the length of it and he may defend the North will never stand another call for troops to serve in this war. They have done all they will do. They are tired of seeing their friends butchered to gratify a man who cannot control them nor will not use them only to the freeing of the negroes for I can see no other aim that he has in view. Kate I love the Army but I do not like the way in which it used now the way this war is carried on. I sometimes feel ashamed of the orders that are now and issued to us but we must obey them. Now I commenced to write this letter yesterday and had to stop for we got orders to move camp distance of one mile so I will try and finish it today if nothing serious happens me. We are now encamped between three forts. The names of the forts are Fort Negley, Fort Terry, and Fort Confiscation. Fort Negley is a very strong place situated on St. Clouds Hill about one mile south of the city of Nashville. It has a range for its guns of from four to seven miles and is thought by good engineers to be capable of repelling and attack made by ten times the number of garrison. Fort Terry is built of cotton bales as is also Fort Confiscation. They withstand a heavy attack. They are both on high bluffs and difficult of access. There is quite a heavy force in and around this city but no appearance of an onward movement. I see nothing to hinder them the weather is fine and the roads are just as good as they could wish. But I suppose they will wait until the roads are bad and the ground cold and damp so as to kill up troops as fast as possible then we will move at least that is the way they always have done and I know of no other way to judge of the future than by the past. Well Kate this is the last page but I do not know what I shall get into it before I get done. Last night with us was quite cold and we had a heavy frost this morning but the day is fine and warm. I should like your offer well to spend about a month in St Joe County this fall. I think I could enjoy myself and have all the sport I wanted. Samuel has and James is in heck of trouble about Grace Kleckner being married and also Charles Myers it appears to trouble them. What a thing it is to leave your lady love behind. Thank God and misfortune or fortune I don’t which I left none. Therefore I can but laugh at other to see what a perfect stew they get into. Sometimes if every young lady in the North was to get married it would cause me any trouble or loss of sleep. Well I must close for I am getting careless. Give my respects to all inquiring friends. I remain you friend Thos. H. Smith
