Letter, from Alex Spence

Object number1998.044.53

DateNovember 5, 1864

Mediumpaper and ink

Dimensions8 x 12 3/4 in. (20.3 x 32.4 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum collection

Terms

DescriptionLetter from Alex Spence to his parents.
Location: Camped near Tuscumbia, Alabama
The area he is marching through in Alabama is largely deserted. He and others under General Hood have been pulling up rails. He hopes that he will be home that winter.

Born in 1838 in Alabama, Alexander Spence served in Co. B of the 1 Arkansas Infantry (Colquitt's). Company B was known as the Clark County Volunteers. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in Little Rock on May 8, 1861. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in April 1, 1862. Five days later he was wounded at Shiloh. He was promoted twice more, to 1st Lieutenant and then rising to the rank of Captain. Alex was killed at the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. He is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia next to his brother, Tom, who also served and was killed during the war.

Camp 1st Ark Regt
Near Tuscumbia Ala
Nov 5th 1864

Dear Father & Mother,

We have an opportunity the evening of sending letters to Arks [sic] so I thought to write you all a few lines. Have not written you before in sometime because I have not had a chance of sending a letter. My last was written about 1st Oct from [?]. Our Army has been on "the move." The "seat of War" has been transfered from Georgia soil. Genl. Hood has been conducting a "grand flank movement" - which so far has been initially successful. In the first place after leaving our camps near Jonesboro Ga, the Army moved on the Rail Road from Chattanooga to Atlanta & succeded in tearing up about 40 miles of the "tracks" [?] capturing several places & a great many prisoners on the road. Among the places captured were Calhoon, Dalton, Tunnel Hill, and Ringgold Gap. For the want of supplies, we were compelled to move back from Dalton the Gadsden Ala. At this place we got an outfit for another raid. The Army crossed Sand Mountain & moved on Decatur Ala. We surrounded that place and kept the yankees in their fortifications for three days. Could have taken that place but it would have cost more than it was worth. "Our Regt" skirmished with the yankees two days. We lost some men, but none of our company. From Decatur we moved to this point. Marched here last Monday & have been expecting to cross the Tenn. River every day. Our "Pontoon Bridges" have been across the river at Florence for several days. I guess we will cross about tomorrow. This said then, we move toward Nashville via Columbia Tenn. I can't think we will remain in Middle Tenn long because the Feds are concentrating their forces ther very fast. Genl. Hood surely does not intend to fight a bunch on this campaign. The general belief is that we will only make a raid up in Middle Tenn to get supplies & we will "winter it" somewhere near Corinth Miss. The Cars [trains?] are now comming to this place via Corinth Miss. While we were at Decatur I was in six miles of "uncle Jon" but he was in yankee lines & I could not visit him. This country up here is about entirely deserted. Not a half dozen farms between this place & Decatur in cultivation. What few people that live here had about as soon see a Federal as "a Rebel." We have had a very hard time on this campaign. Have done no fighting though - but plenty of "hard marching." I have stood the trip fine. "Hardships" agree with me pretty well. Our Field officers all being absent, I have been acting as on on "this trip" consequently- am mo[?}ited. We are having some very cold weather, but our boys are all pretty well clothed. Whe have enough clothing, blankets &c [sic] stored away down in Geo [sic] if we can only get them. If nothing happens I will be a home this winter. If we go into "quarters" near Corinth I shall try for a furlough. If I can not get that I shall resign. There is some talk of all the "Trans Miss troops" being furloughed this winter but I have but little confidence in it. If They don't get furloughs I fear a great many will desert & go away though I don't think a single man of my Co. [sic] will go with out leave. I have not read any letters from you all written since about 1st Aug. Read on the other day from Tom Ewing written 27th Sept. In it he writs you all had heard that I was wounded. I don't see how such reports start and I have not bee "scratched" on the campaign. Whe have heard that Genl. Price was recently defeated in Mo. I do hope it is not so. We hear no news were we are. Do not know whether [sic] the yankees have left Atlanta or not. Have heard they had evacuated the place but I don't believe it. I suppose they will be compelled to leave there shortly. I am on duty to day & must close this. Will write you all every chance & all of you must do the same. I do hope this will find you all well &c [sic].

My love toyou all. Your affectionate son

Alex E. Spence

Please direct
Co. B 1st Ark Regt
Govan Brigade
Cleburne Division
Cheathams Corps
Army Tenn

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