Letter, Tom Spence to his father

Letter, Tom Spence to his father

Object number1998.044.13

DateFebruary 27, 1862

Mediumpaper and pencil

DimensionsOverall: 4 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (11.4 x 19.1 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection

Terms

Letter

DescriptionLetter from Tom Spence to his father. Single sheet of greenish-blue, lined paper, folded in half lengthwise. Embossed seal in the upper left. Paper is folded to make four writing sections. Tom has written on two of the sections and his father's name is on the third section. One section is blank. Tom includes accounts of his regiments actions at the battle of Wilson's Creek. Written at Hog Eye, Ark.

Born on October 20, 1835, Thomas F. Spence enlisted with the Confederate Army on July 27, 1861 at Camp McRae, Arkansas. He served with Co. E. of the Arkansas 2nd Mounted Rifles. On December 31, 1862, Tom was killed during the Battle of Stone's River (Murfreesboro, TN). He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Arkadelphia next to his brother, Alex, who died in 1864 at the Battle of Franklin.

Hog Eye Arks
February 27, 1862

Dear Pa
We have been in a huddle at this place for several days. I would say camps but we have none. Our picketts have had several fights with the Dutch. They killed eight or ten of our men at Fayetteville the other day. We had to go out the next, that is our company. Their [sic] is no sleep for the boys. Their (?) in an (?) press stating that the Dutch were falling back from Fayetteville. I am not able to say what we will be ordered to do follow. I guess Mr. Barkman & Kingsbury(?) arrived on yesterday. My blanket come in (?) (?). I will write again after the Battle. Their [sic] is no chance for the Dutch to get out of a fight. They have come to [sic] far. Tell Tom Ewing I will write him in a few days. The young men that are around Arkadelphia had better turn out or they will come to Clark. Write all news.
Your son
T.F. Spence

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