Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913 to Maria Damuth

Writes that the men are waiting to fight. A battle is going to take place at Pleasant Hill, thirty-five miles from their campsite. Tells a story about some men out on picket the day before who were captured by a plantation owner who "mad his negros tie them he marched them out in the woods to shoot them." One man is dead and the other two escaped. Damuth describes seeing the dead man's body and his anger that the murderer "pretended to be a union man." Reports that Texans they have captured were completely unaware of Northerners coming South. Predicts the war will be over by the summer and asks his family to plant extra food in anticipation of his return. Says that "thear was a paper printed here once but when our forces came the Editor left." Some men have issued their own paper nominating "Gen Banks for President and Wade of Ohio for vice President." The last page of Damuth's letter, marked "Private and Confidential," discusses the possibility of entering a new regiment or being promoted within his own company. Mentions "the boys dont like Curtis but dont say a word to anyone about it."