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Warm Springs
Bath County, VA
September 3, 1863
Dear Father and Mother:
I presume you have gotten some what uneasy about me as I have not written
for 10 or 12 days. The reason of this is, we have been on the march for
upwards of a week. I have had no time to write and even now, I am writing
a few hurried lines after arriving at or rather taking up camp. Last Tuesday
morning today one week ago, we left camp at Liberty Mills in Orange County
and started in the direction of Charlottesville. We arrived there Wednesday
evening having marched in the two days, 20 miles. There we remained till
Friday morning. Then we took the train and came on as far as Hillboro in
this county. That was about 80 miles. There we drew four days rations of
crackers and bacon, put them in our haversacks and started after the Yankees.
You have no doubt heard of them trying to make a raid through here. We
arrived at this place Saturday evening and have been scouting about through
the country ever since. The Yankees are all gone but not without destroying
the greater portion of the crop of small grain through here. The Warm Springs
are the greatest curiosity I have seen yet. The water boils up out of the
earth, and if any difference, a little warmer than milk just from a cow.
There are 3 bathing houses, one for the gentlemen, one for the ladies and
one for the children. I went in the bath myself. It is about 25 feet in
diameter and about chin deep. When I first went in I could scarcely bear
the water. It felt like there certainly must have been fire about it. All
the Springs together afford nearly as much water as "Stophles run." We
will pass Hot Springs tomorrow, I expect. I am anxious to see them. We
are now on our way to Lewisburg or some where in that portion of the country.
We are now about 125 miles from where we were when I wrote you before and
I think we will get back nearer home in a month or so. I hope we will winter
at the Narrows again. When you write me again direct my letter to Dublin.
I will stop now as it is getting nearly dark.
Greenbriar Co.VA Sept. 4th
I will now write a few more lines and finish my letter. Yesterday we
made a very hard march and I did not have time to finish my letter after
we got to camp. We camped last night in Alleghany County. Tonight we are
camping on the battleground where part of General Jones men fought the
Yankee cavalry a few days ago. From the marks on the timber, fences and
buildings it was a pretty hot little fight. Cannon balls and minnies have
riddled the timber pretty smartly. This battle ground is 1/2 mile from
White Sulphur Springs in Monroe Co. We have a three days march yet of 15
miles per day and then the Col. says we will get to rest awhile if nothing
happens. I forgot to tell you we had a considerable frost in Bath Co. Saturday
and Sunday nights. The corn blades were smartly bitten. Was there any frost
in Wythe? I must now close. I want you to write as soon as you get this
direct to Dublin, care of the Capt. Co.,and Regiment as before. I am very
anxious to hear from the children. How have they gotten with whooping cough?
This leaves me well and I hope it finds you all the same.
I remain as ever, Your devote son,
Thomas W. Fisher
| COPYRIGHT© 1998 Dianne
McGinley Gardner - All rights reserved. Copies for personal use and
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