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Letters of Francis William Kimble
14th Iowa Infantry, Company 'B'
Presented by the Iowa Civil War Site
Letter number twenty
Camp in the Orchard Columbus,Ky Sept. 18th, 1863
Dear Mother
I set myself to inform that I am well at present. Mother I just received your
letter of the 13th which is much pleasure to me for I expected it sooner than
now. Well Mother it is cool enough this morning to wear an overcoat but it
will be pleasanter in a day or two. I would rather have cool weather that to
have it so warm for it is much pleasanter for the sick and I think it is
healthier to be a little cool. Mother we have left the Fort. We are now
camped about one mile east of town in an old apple orchard on the picket
line. The health of our regt is much better since we moved from the fort.
Mother 3 weeks ago today there was 3 male negroes hanged. They was executed
for murdering a man and his family. I believe that 3 of the family was little
children. The negroes was soldiers. They was hired to do the deed by a white
man. There was about 2500 people at the execution. I was an eye witness to
it. When the scaffold fell there was several of the wenches fainted. Mother,
one week from today will hardly find the 14th at Columbus for we are under
marching orders all ready but our destination we know not. It is rumored that
we will go back to Cairo, but I think it doubtful. It is my opinion that we
will go to Union City in Tenn which place is about 35 miles east of Columbus.
Some thinks we will go down the river. Two of our boys started home yesterday
on sick furloughs. Mother I am utterly fleshly for I weigh one hundred and 42
pds. Littlefield and his wife are both sick. She will go to Iowa since she is
better. Tell Dad to never vote for a copperhead candidate for govenor of Ia.
The soldiers feels for Gen Tuttle but we can't reach him where he stands.
Mother when you say abolish think of the soldiers, just think of the
soldiers. I expressed a little box to Sarah the 3rd of Sept I brought with me
from Memphis. I don't know whether she has got it or not. She has quit
writing to me. Tell Dad that Col. Stone is the man for us. We hate Cops
(Copperheads) I think this will do for the present. My respects to all so no
more. F. W. Kimble to M.A. Kimble
Eliza I guess E.R.C. has played off since she has got my minature for I
haven't heard from her since I got the letter with yours in it. She had
better write soon or I will find a Ky. gal. I was out in the country last
Sabbath and I was as good as I was when I went a sparking. I think that I
will have to go again. Give my compliments to Dad. I think Jimmy don't break
so many drum heads as I do. I haven't nary one in my drum and haven't had for
some time. No more.
Dottie [email protected]
Transcribed and submitted by great great niece
[https://iowa-counties.com/civilwar2/_private/ncrbox.htm]
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The Iowa Civil War Site