The orginal copy of this letter is maintained by Richard Cheatham of Walnut Creek, CA. Richard's e-mail address is: Cheatham@saber.net.
Near Union Church Aug 15th 1864
Pettie
Dear Sister
I received your letter on the tenth and was glad to hear that you wer all well. I had not heard from home since I left. I had just returned from off a scout near Natchez. I had been down there about twelve days, eating good bread and drinking good coffee and riding every day. It was hard duty but good living and don't eat anything scarcely but chicken and you know that I love that. We are out on an expedition now. I don't know what I think Gen Taylor army is chasing below here. We have to have good many rations prepared for them, but I will leave this evening on a scout. Near Natchez again, I reckun. I hope so anyhow. The scout is already made up to go. I have quite a pleasant time scouting the Yankees. Wer out several time while I was down, but we missed them every time. I have been within two miles of the pickets several times. I have met up with very good luck since I have been here in the way of meeting Yankees. I have never met them yet. I hope I wont.
I am going to try to get you some good music. I think I can. I know you would like to have some. I was very glad of the close which was sent me. I needed them. Please tell Father to have my boots made just as soon as he can, and I will come after them soon as I get close by if he can't send them to me. I wish I had them now. It is no telling how long we will remain down here in this country. I would like to come to Yazoo. I need a pair of pants now worse than anything else. If I had greenbacks I could get anything I wanted, but I haven't the greenbacks I wish I had. I wrote you a letter by mail which I hope you will get. You must write every week by mail. You must give my warmest love to my sweetheart and tell her I would like to see her. Tell also to write me. I wrote her a letter the same time I wrote to Mother and you by Mr Ratliff. Find out whether she got it or not, or whether she wrote an answer and let me know. I also wrote one to Miss Ginnie about the twentieth of last and to Aunt Amelia the same time and I have not received but your letter yet.
I would like to letter from all of them now. It makes me feel very proud to get a letter. Find out whether Miss Eudora is going to write to me or not. She promised to. I am in fine health and have been ever since I have been with the Company. I have been performing any duty as well as any man in the Company and am glad to know that I am able. Give my love to Mother and Father and all of the children and kiss them for me and except a portion for yourself.
Your affection Brother
John R. Cheatham
Song Ballad
1st
Soldiers Welcome Home
The Cannons boming oer the hills
I hear them from afar
And Oh how my heart beats dolefully
For him whose gone to war.
Ch.
Come back my gallant soldier come
I'll ever think of thee
Till I can greet thy footsteps home
(Turn, on fourth line you will be)
I ne'er can happy be
2nd
I would not have thee leave the field
whilst the foe is in the land
Nor to a tyrant vallor yield
But strike the foemans hand
3rd
Lift up lift up our banner high
Oerr land and over sea
Resolved by it to live or die
Till dixie land is free
Ch.
Then come my gallant solder come
I'll ever thin of thee
Then I can greet thy welcome home
And we will happy be
Send a copy to Miss Eudora and Miss Ginnie if they want it. I have an other ballad for you when I get time to write it, off for a scout now.
John R. Cheatham
To return to the main page click here.
|
get your own free page.
