Chronological History of the American Civil War

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pulled the sheet from his face to look at him. Refined people truly. He made friends in the hospital however. Fond friends and true. Dr. DeBrueler’s son, about 16 years old, sat by him and talked to him day after day. Dr. DeBrueler amputated his leg --- but it had to be done above the knee --- as it had remained on so long the pus had gotten above the knee joint. He lay there many weeks --- until his aunt Sarah, Mrs. James K. Polk, asked the favor of the Commanding General --- General Halleck --- to allow her to have him removed to her home in Nashville, Tennessee. She sent a trained nurse up for him. He was brought down by boat to Nashville --- to her. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for she saved his life undoubtedly. The hospital in Evansville had erysipelas in it and your father had it severely. All this while I was in my home in Bolivar, knew not where he was --- as we were in the debatable county and had no news except grapevine. Finally, Wallace’s Corps came down to Bolivar and also a letter from Aunt Walker telling me to hurry up to Nashville as Marsh was very low. This letter my Father did not let me see. It enclosed one from your father telling me what to do in case of his death, which he expected. So, Pa kept it but used a pass Aunt Walker had sent and hurried me off. I traveled in my own open carriage with my baby, Mamie – 9 months old, Anna, my nurse, Alphius, your father’s body servant as driver, and my cousin, Jerome Hill, who had been discharged from the Southern Army because of ill health (they diagnosed it consumption). We had a hard trip to Columbia, passing through Yankee camps and sleeping in cabins wherever we could get anybody to take us in. At Columbia, we got a train and reached Nashville. My poor Marsh was an utter wreck. So thin I scarcely knew him and still had erysipelas. Dr. Tom Madden, his doctor, would give him serctum which affected his heart and I had to watch him every moment and whenever his heart was too fast, stimulate him. I used to sit beside him in the dark night and think every moment would be his last. I was all alone --- so scared. The doctor said after I reached him he improved everyday --- slowly of course. My poor little Mamie nearly starved as I, of course could give little nourishment to her when I was so pained and unhappy. Finally, your father recovered sufficiently for us to go to Columbia, Tennessee. There our fond relations cared for us and invited us to their homes until your father was able to return to the army at Shelbyville. He was in the Battle of Murfreesboro, having been exchanged by the Yankees. Our army fell back to Shelbyville and your father was made Chief of Artillery in Polk’s Corps. Our army remained a good while in Shelbyville and then fell back to Chattanooga. We had so little food for our men --- so little ammunition--- so little of anything. No clothing for them. Poor boys, they were half starved, about naked. I saw out troops reviewed at Tullahoma by General Joe Johnson and General Polk. I sat in an ambulance right by them. General Hardee, General Lucius Polk, General Krohl, General Cleburn of Arkansas --- all there. So handsome! So brave! Your father road a big black horse. Was strapped to the saddle and he galloped around until, your father told me afterwards, he thought at any moment he would throw him, but he looked as if he enjoyed it. Our army was in fine condition then. Shelbyville had fed the horses and men so well. I stayed at Mr. jack Green’s house a few miles from Shelbyville. All the artillery was packed there. Our young officers were so gay, and we had parties in which all danced. One dear fellow from St. Louis ---