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An Alabama Officer is Tired of Besieging Chattanoog

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War-date Confederate officer's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written in pencil by Lt. Simon C. Wilkerson, Co. E, 18th Alabama Infantry, near Chattanooga, Tenn., Oct. 31, 1863 to his wife. In part: "…our brig. has been on the move for the last four or five days, but have not gone more than about one mile…we have been thinking that we would get back soon, but the enemy has made a move and we will have to move above our line of breastworks to watch his movements…the chances are good for us to remain as we are for sometime. I am getting very anxious for our regiment to get settled for at least two or three days that we may be able to wash up and change our clothes…we are a dirty set of fellows and the rain and mud we have to stand don't help us one bit. We have no tents and I am exposed more than usual yet we seem to have as good health if not better than we did…I would have liked for you to have maid your visit a little longer…I guess you have heard of Longstreet's loosing Raccoon Mountain…Bragg told him that he had lost his position and must rejoin it; that if he wanted any more men he should have as many as he wanted…". Wilkerson served faithfully with his regiment until he was captured during the battle of Missionary Ridge on Nov. 25, 1863 and sent to Johnson's Island prison camp. He remained there until the close of the war and returned home after signing the oath of allegiance on June 13, 1865. Light toning, else very good.

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