Dear father and mother:
I have no doubt but what you have been looking for a letter from me some days passed and perhaps have become uneasy about me. But to tell the truth we have been running about so much here of late that I have had no chance to write. I used to think I never would get tired of riding the cars, but I have changed my mind. I wrote you a few lines and sent it by Mr. Rose the day before we left New River bridge the first time, but it turned out that he did not get off home that day and at night we received orders to go to Tenn. We started that night (or rather the next morning which was Saturday.) We got to Max Meadows about daylight passed on through Wythe County that morning. We arrived at Bristol about 3:00 o clock in the evening. We had a very pleasant ride as it was dry weather. We were cheered on by ladies waving their handkerchiefs from the windows and doors of almost every house we passed. Some of our men in the regiment acted mean and amused themselves by shooting at dogs, geese and sheep along the road. 1 or 2 were killed. Well we changed cars at Bristol and left there about an hour by sun. Daylight Sunday morning found us at Rogersville Junction 75 miles the other side of Bristol. From there we went to Morristown. But through the Union men (of which there are quite a few in East Tennessee.) The Yankees found out we were there and no sooner did they find it out than they skeù daddled. They burned 3 or 4 bridges and some little property besides. But I must digress the harvest when we were out there. If the crop is as good and there is as much out all over Tennessee as where we were, I believe that state alone can supply 1/4 the Confederate army. Corn doesn t look so well, although there are large crops planted. I believe that at least 2/3 of the cleared land is in grain. But to return to telling you of our trip. We stayed at Morristown, Tenn., till last Thursday when we were ordered back to old Virginia again. I shall never forget that morning. We were all tired of the place. The band was on top of a car and when we started they commenced playing, "Carry Me Back To Old Virginia." And cheering, I have never heard the 51st do as they did then. We were quite merry coming back and we came over the country in day time and enjoyed it very much. I must now close. Remember me in your prayers. 

Your affectionate son,
Thomas W. Fisher                                
 
 
 

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