Sumter County AlArchives History - Letters .....Simmons, Robert Thomas Michelberry Letters including CSA ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Armond "Si" Simmons psysim@coosahs.net January 22, 2004, 12:41 pm ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS The following letters (1-18) were written by Robert Thomas Michelberry Simmons to his wife, Mollie Boyd, during his service in the Army of the Confederate States of America: CSA letters: NOTE: Most letters/documents herein were copied from "THE ROBERT SIMMONS FAMILY",by Freddie Simmons Erickson, 1991. Freddie states, " I copied most of these letters from zerox copies of handwritten copies of the original letters. The spacing, paragraphing, etc, may be different, but letter content is same. Thom had problems getting paper to write on, light to see, and having letters mailed." "The time-worn and delicate originals of Thom's letters, copied for Freddie's book and included here, came from an old leather-strapped "chest" (of "mystique" to the ten kids) and were privided to Freddie by my sister, Evelyn Simmons Sykes, granddaughter of Thom." The chest occupied a "restricted" corner of the dining room in the home in which I lived; the home of Thom's son, Robert Kelly Simmons and Kelly's wife, Madoline, my parents, Complete, Mississippi;. As we kids got older, the "mystique" surrounding the old chest turned to a "reverence" of sorts for that which it held safe. In 1999, I acquired 27(?)additional transcribed letters (RTM to Mollie)from the Alabama Department of Archives & History. Acquired recently (2003), transcribed copies of 5 additional letters in the possession of cousin Rhonda Raye. Many of the official Confederate documents contained herein and in the book were provided as the reward of extensive research of National Archives by Andrew "Andy" Simmons, Thom's great-grandson. The Simmons family will also appreciate the tremendous research efforts of Freddie Simmons Erickson in helping make this memorial possible. Also appreciated is the research efforts and contributions of Rhonda Raye, 2nd great- granddaughter of RTM Simmons and Buzzy Knowles, 2nd great-grandson towards construction of this memorial and the Simmons Family Tree. ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA # 1 Atlanta Georgia Nov 3rd 1863 Mrs M C Simnons My Dear wife. I will now endeavor to write to you again though we have not arrived at our journeys end yet. I wrote you when we were at Montgomery and directed the letter to Coatopa station. I hope you received it before you left Uncle George's. I thought when I wrote last I would not write any more until we got to Bragg's Army, but as we are detained so long on the road I have concluded to write a few lines this evening. (I wrote to Ina yesterday). We left Montgomery last Saturday night and got to West Point early Sunday morning. We stayed in West Point until last night and then started to this place (Atlanta)..we got here about two o'clock this morning and I suppose we will remain here until morning. My dear we have been well blessed with health since we left Demopolis, though we have traveled most of the time in the night and I begin to feel much wearied from the loss of sleep. Well Mollie, I believe I shall stop writing for my pen is so bad I can't write. My dear, I will try and write some with my pencil . I had much rather talk with you, but I thank God for the privilege to write. I have no news of importance to write though it does me good to write enough to let you hear from me. We are getting along finely now, most of us eat at the Hotels whenever we stop at a place on the road, but we will soon be where we can't find anything to buy. I have heard that our Army is suffering greatly for food near Chattanooga . I expect we will have hard times after we leave Atlanta. But I do not despair yet for I know God can provide for us at all times and in all places. Well my darling you may think that times are hard there but they are worse here. Common geans is worth from fifteen to twenty five dollars per yard here. Shoes are worth from 30 to 75 dollars and boots are worth from 100 to 150 dollars per pair. Common uniform coats for Officers are worth from 3 to 5 hundred dollars. The taylors charge 200 dollars for making officers coats and the cloth found to their hands. Board is worth 10 dollars per day. My dear I wrote to Uncle Ran to have a pair of boots made for me. I want number sixes high in the insteps. Don't sell my jacket for less than 20 dollars (that is if you have not sold it), I believe geans will be worth 50 dollars per yard in this state (if the war lasts long. My Dear I went to prayer meeting in West Point last Sabbath evening. I enjoyed meeting finely. Thank God that we can hear prayers some times, would to God I could be at home to pray with my own dear/Eatcy.(?) My dear I can't tell where I will be when you get this but I do trust that the Lord will be with me wherever I go. Mollie when you see my precious little Willie kiss him for his poor absent father. God bless him, he is just 5 years old today I have been thinking of him all day. My dear you must remember me to our dear little motherless brothers & sisters (I mean your mother's children). Heaven knows I love them and sympathize with them. Eaty(?) remember me to Grandma & Etta. Yes give my love to all my friends. Oh! how happy I would be to see this unholy and cruel war come to an end. God grant that the time may soon come when we all can return to our own homes and enjoy peace again (My dear if I never return home again don't grieve for me but pray to meet me in heaven. Oh! what would I give to kiss those sweet lips of yours. I am here but my heart is with you. I must bring my reckless letter to a close. My dear Mollie you must write to me soon-direct your letters to Chattanooga and I will be apt to get them. Tell Dosh to write. My love her & Bettie L. I remain your own dear loving Thorn (RTM Simmons) P.S. Henry and all the boys are well. Bud was left at West Point with our baggage, he will overtake us tonight. ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #2 Lookout Mountain, Tennessee Nov 7, 1863 Mrs Mary C Simmons My Dear wife, we have got to Bragg's Army at last. We got to Chickamauga station about 2 o'clock on the 5th of Nov out here to take our position day before yesterday morning and got here yesterday. We are stationed at the foot of Lookout Mountain. We are held as a reserve though we have to do picket duty. We have had a hard time since got here. We have had to march through some very muddy swamps though we are doing tolerably well now. Only 3d will be accomplishing something of your acquaintances speck) Well my dear we are at the foot of the mountains but I never have been to the top (we have traveled 3 miles to get to the top of the mountain)..there is a little hill here by our camp that we go up on and see all over the town of Chattanooga. We can see more than a thousand Yankee tents at one sight. The Yankees could throw shells in our camps but they are afraid to do it for our Batterys on the Mountain turn loose on them, whenever they undertake to shell us, We have a very large Army here though I think Yankees have as many men as we have here. Some people think there will be a big Battle fought here soon (I think there will be several small Battles along the lines before we have the big fight. Our Batteries are shooting at the Y's from Lookout Mountain all the time nearly, though the Y's don't return the fire. We can see the Y's pickets down in the valley. We stand on the hill & see our pickets close to the Y's ...the pickets don't fire at each other often (sometimes they skirmish a little). RTMS ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #2A Lookout Mountain, Tennessee Nov 7, 1863 Dear Mollie I have nothing interesting to write though I know you are allways glad to hear from me so I will write a few lines more to you I have just written a few lines with a pencil though I fear you cant read it. My dear I know you are uneasy about me. you must not be uneasy about me for we are doing as well as we could expect under the present circumstances: We have been blessed with health & I never saw the boys in finer spirits in my life (every one appears to be lively & full of fun) We came here to undergo hard ships and we expect nothing else so we all try to be content with our lot let it be good or bad. As for me I am willing to endure a great deal rather than submit to the will of our Enemy! this is the fourth letter that I have written to you since we left Demopolis. you must write to me often. Direct your letters to me at Chattanooga. My dear I will send my paroll to you in this letter, I don't want it with me. I have not heard from M. Dove yet his Regt is several miles from here. (on the right) I passed in sight of L Tiners Regt. but could not get the chance to stop and see him. my dear I must bring my letter to a close. My pen will not write at all. My precious wife you you must not forget to pray for me. May God bless you and all my friends is my sincere prayr. Give my love to all my friends dont let any person see this badly written letter. My dear dont sell your horse if you want to keep him for it will be impossible to get horses at any price in a few months. you can buy corn & feed him I am more than willing to buy corn for him. Nothing more, But remain your own dear husband --- Thom ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #3 Lookout Mountain, Tenn Nov 15th 1863 Mrs Mary C Simmons My dear Mollie I have been anxious to write to you for several days but have been very busy most of the time, and when I was not too busy I felt too bad to write. More than half my mess have been sick for a week. John Dial had pneumonia and was sent to the Hospital several days ago; he was quite sick when he left. I have not heard front him since. I fear he will have a hard spell. George Clay, George Wiggins, William Davenport and Elick Mallard have all been having chills; they are all on the sick list now, but I think E. Mallard and George Wiggins will soon be able for duty again. I have been very unwell for a week myself, but I have not suffered my name to go on the sick list; though the Dr. has given me medicine. I feel somewhat better this morning than common. I hope my health is going to be better. My dear Mary, I do sincerely trust that this letter may find you enjoying good health. I have not heard from you since I left you at Demopolis. I am anxious, indeed, to hear from you. I trust I shall get a letter from you soon. Oh, what I would give to see a letter from you this day. M. Dove and me are together every day, he is here with me now. Lewis Tiner has spent two days with me. I see B. Stillwell every day. He and M. Dove mess together. Well, Mollie, I have seen a good many of my friends since we came to this place, Our Regt is about four miles from here on the other side of the mountain; I am staying with the cooks and sick men. We can see the Yankees every days our pickets meet the Y's and talk with them every day. The pickets don't shoot at each others but the Y's shoot from their Battery and kill same of our men every now and then. There is a very large army here, and it is a difficult matter to feed them, but I think we ought to be willing to suffer same rather than be whipped by the enemy. We sometimes go four or five days without drawing any meats but we get plenty of bread and I will never grumble much as long as I can get bread enough. The Yanks are making great preparations for a battle here, and if we have to fight here any time this winter I don't care how soon, for I am anxious to leave this part of the country. My dear, you must write soon and write often. Give my love to Grandma, Etta and all my friends. My love, you must always remember me in your prayers. I will close my letter as I have nothing more to write. Mollies be sure to have me a pair of boots made (let them cost what they may). I remain as usual, Your own affectionate husband Thom P.S. I don't expect to get my letter off before tomorrow. I shall try and write you once a week. Thom M. Dove sends his respects to you. ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #4 On the Road May the 17 1864 My dear wife, I am well but my feet are blistered and worn out from marching. We have been on the road for two days and nights. We are falling back. I don't know how far we will retreat. The Yankees are following close after us but I think we will give them a thrashing yet. The Yanks won't fight us a fair fight but they have so many men they keep flanking us without fighting much. We have been fighting for eleven days but we have to charge the Yanks to make them fight us and they fight tigers (?) Our Regt has had several little fights within the last week, Our Regt charged the Yanks twice we run them about two miles Saturday evening and night overtook us and we had to stop. We charged them again Sunday evening run some of their pickets in, but when we got near their line of battle they killed our men so fast that we had to stop and retreat back. We had fifty two (52) men killed and wounded Sunday. I don't know how many we killed Saturday but our company lost one, our company had five wounded Sunday and nine killed. I was in the midst of the charges both days. I never got hurt at all. Bud got here about midnight Saturday night. He was in the heat of the charge Sunday but never got hurt. John & the Capt are both in the Hospital they were not in the charges. We have several men in the hospital now. I think the Yanks must got our wounded men. I expect Capt Moore & John are in Montgomery at the hospital before this time. Well Mollie I can't write much now for I must lay dawn and sleep some. We have stopped to eat dinner and rest. We will get to Ringston tonight or tomorrow and I reckon we will make a stand there and fight the Yanks again. Don't be uneasy about me I may get killed soon but if I do I hope my God will be with me. I saw Ed night before last he is well, he is marching on close to us. Make Dove & Bennet Stillwell and Lewis Tiner are all along here close at us but every man has to stay with his own Regt to keep from being lost, there are about 40 or 50 thousand troops along the road and if we get out of sight we are lost. Well my dear Mollie I will bring my letter to a close, you will have to be careful or you can not read this, Don't expose this shabby letter I have no paper. Just have to tear some leaves out of my daybook. I don't know when I can get to write again. Bud lost his nap sack and all his and my cloths(sic) and all the letters he had for the boys and so don't want any cloths now for I can't carry them with me. I have not put on clean cloths in about 12 days and I don't know when I ever will get to my cloths. My cloths are with the wagon and it is several miles ahead of us. Give my love to every one of my friends. Tell them all to write, I will write you a long letter if I ever get the chance. My dear don't neglect to pray for me. Talk to Willie about me when you see him, try to get him to be a good boy. God bless you all is my prayer. Write every 4 or 5 days and let me hear all the news. I remain your affectionate husband, Thomas ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #5 My dear wife We have stoped again and I will try and write a few lines to you. I am tolerably well but very much wearied from marching. All the boys here are well. John is in the Hospital some where and Jesse Wiggins is in the hospital also. Capt Moore has got well and came back to us again. I have no news of importence to write. ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA # 6 Etowak River May 22nd 1864 My dear Mollie- I will make another attempt to write you. I commenced this letter on the 18th but was ordered into line of battle in a few minutes and did not get to finish it. I am well with the exception of a boil on one of my legs. I have had four very bad boils since I left home though I have never given up for one yet. I can hardly walk today but if we have to march I will try it. My dear this is a beautiful Sabbath day and I might enjoy myself if I were at hone with you. But I must confess that I do not enjoy myself here. Oh, that this crewel & savage war would end and let all us poor wearied soldiers return home to our dear & beloved families and friends. Oh what I would give to see my lovely wife this day. May the Lord protect her is my most sincere desire, My dear I was sad to hear that your mouth and feet were no better. I do hope you are better before now. I received your letter dated on the 15th I was glad indeed to hear from you & you have no idea how so much good it does me to get a letter from you. I wish I could hear from you oftener. Well my dear I shall not say much about the war. We have fell about sixty miles from Dalton. We are on the Etawak River now. I don't know if we will fall back any farther or not. Capt Moore is well. John is in hospital. I have not heard from him in several days but he was not sick much when I did hear from him. I hope he will be back with us soon. We have had some very hard fighting lately. I passed through it all without a scratch. I do thank God that He has blessed me so much. We have many hardships, trials and danger but if the Lord will just spare our lives I think we ought to be very thankful have seen a great many of my friends and relatives lately. L. Tiner is well Ed is well or he was day before yesterday (I saw him) the Lavender boys are well. Martan Hand got wounded in the fight last week. My dear I would like to write to you oftener and more but we seldom stay long at the same place, we travel night and day just sleep a little now and then when ever we can. I hope I will get a chance to write you a good letter soon. I reckon you have heard about Bud loosing his napsack and all his and my cloths. I shall get some cloth from the government so you need not sew any thing for me. You must let me know if you need any money and I will try and get some and send to you. The officers can draw money if they want it but I don't want to draw mine while we are fighting. I have not seen Make Dove but I heard from him about three days ago, he well. I wrote to Dosh same time ago but I have had no letter from her. I don't get many letters now. You must tell me all the news about all the neighbors. My love to all enquiring friends tell my friends to write to me. I am always glad to get a letter from any of them. My dear you must be sure to read and try & improve your education. When you go to read or write try and get off to yourself so you can study without being interupted. May God bless you and my little Willie-kiss him for me when you see him. Direct your letters to Lieut R.T.M. Simmons, 40th Regt,Ala Vols, Bakers Brigade, Army of Tennesee- Ga. If you direct your letter to the 40th Ala Army of Tennesee they will be sure to come. I am your own dear husband. Thom R.T.M.Simnons ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA # 7 Chattahoochee River, Ga July 10 1864 My Dear Mollie Yours of the 5th has reached me and found me well once. My jaw is better than it has been since I left home; all the loose pieces of bone are out and I am about ready to start to the field-was well enough to go yesterday but the Dr thought best for me not to until today. My gums are raw but don't pain me any. I have not eaten any hard food since I came to the hospital camps and I have fattened the fastest sort. Well, Mollie, I have no news to write, I wrote you about two days ago, you want me to write long letters but I can not every time for it is difficult matter to get paper here. I write a great many letters. I received three this evening, one from Ma dated 28th June; she was not well, all the rest well. I wrote to Uncle George Torry today. I write a great many letters now. I get so many letters for the other boys, and I send them all back and write to their friends in order that they may know what has become of them. I get your letters regularly now. You complain of not having any news to write, anything that happens at home is news to me, so you have plenty of news to write to me. I have no news except war news and I am tired of it. The Yanks are shelling our troops rapidly today. Oh that I could have been at home while Uncle Lod and his wife were there. I am sorry to hear that Dosh baby was sick. Hope it will soon be well. Tell Dosh to write me, she might write me oftener. Tell Etta to write. Let me know whether your uncle Mack's things got home safe or not. My dear, I want to know if you ever found my pocket book that had my furlough in it. If you have found it I want you send both of my furloughs to me in your next letter. I want to see them. I think I shall draw some money soon and if you need any, let me know. I have spent one hundred and twenty dollars since I came here beside what I brought with me. I can't chew anything very hard, and I spend my money for vegetables and something to eat. I have bought one pair of pants from the Government though I have not paid them yet. I am compelled to buy a hat soon if I live. It will cost me about eighty or ninety dollars; will need some shoes soon, but will try and get them from the Government. Write soon. From your own husband Thom P.S. Send me a sample of your new dress. Tell Bet not to take the big head this time on acct of her new dress. ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #8 Picket line on Chattahoochee River July the 14th 1864 My Dear Mollie I will again try to -?- which if received will inform you that I am not well, have been sick for two days and have not quit doing duty yet. I had fever last night and the night before and feel some better this evening though I feel I shall have fever again tonight. I marched several miles last night while I was suffering with fever. Our men and the Yanks have been shooting across the river at each other ever since daylight this morning. The Yanks have several cannons in view of us and we have been listening for them to fire on us though they are not firing the cannon today. The Yanks may open their Batteries on us before night. It is very warm and they may be waiting for the cool of the evening. Have no interesting news to write. I looked for a letter from you yesterday though failed to get it. Hope I may get one tonight. Lewis T was well a day or two ago, have not heard from Ed or any of the rest of our friends in several days, got a letter front Ann Simmons dated the 4th. All well when she wrote. H Danner is well. I have had the remnants of their (three?) companies in charge for several days without any other officer to help me and I told the Colonel that I was not willing to manage a company by myself so he has taken the pieces of companies which I commanded and put them in other companies and I have attached myself to another company that has but -?- officers -?- another Lieut Commander -?- company in the -?- get assigned to front duty as long as we can. Though the chances are gloomy for me to get off soon my dear, I believe I never was more anxious to see you than now. I am not well and that makes me think of you more than if I was well. I think I have as many friends here as any officer in the regiment but none can entertain me like you, especially when I am sick If I am still sick after we get off picket I will go to the hospital and try to rest a day or two. The weather is very warm for marching now and many of our men come very near giving out on every march. We do most of our marching at night to prevent the Yanks from seeing our movements. Our troops are still in fine spirits although many of them are worn out with fatigue. Well my dear, I will not do much more writing now but will wait to see if I get a letter from you tonight. If I live and the Lord permits I will try and finish my letter in the morning. I fear I shall not get to write you often now, but you must and I will write as often as I can. Tell more of my friends to write me. Give my love to Uncle -?-and family, also Beth and the little ones, Grandma, Etta, and all your brothers and sisters. You give my best regards to all my friends and neighbors. I can't mention all their names now though I often think of them all. Dr. Howle was well day before yesterday. (Remainder of letter is in pencil) Well Mollie we have to go down to the river bank tonight at 2 o'clock and can't come out till night again - so I will send this off. It is in the night .. can't see what I write. ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #9 In line of battle near Sandtown road August the 2nd 1864 My Dear Wife, As I never finished the letter I started to you yesterday I will try to write a little more and have it ready to send it off by the first opportunity that presents itself. I received your letters dated the 15th and 20th.I got them late last night but would not sleep until I had built a light and read them over twice. I was never much prouder to hear from you although your last letter had been written 12 days. We have no regular line of communication from here to Montgomery yet though I hope we can get letters through ever now and then. I am well & hope you are enjoying good health. My jaw is better than ever. We have been traveling about so much lately that I have been able to buy or get vegetables every day and my jaw always does well as long as I can get vegetables to eat. Well Mollie we had to march a portion of last night but stopped long enough to get some sleep, and got up early this morning and made another move though we did not move far. We are still in the main line of fortification about five miles from Atlanta. We did not have to charge yesterday as I expected we would do. We have done no fighting since the 28th July. (that our Regm): There was some sharp-shooting in our front today but it is not near enough to bother us behind the fortification. I think our regiment will go on picket tonight and remain out until tomorrow night. I don't like to go on picket for it is very dangerous but I never fail to go every time. Everything appears very quiet on our line this evening but that means nothing for we are liable to be called on to fight at any hour. Well my dear I got two other letters with yours last night. One was from Sis. She was with Ma at Mr. Williams' when she wrote. Ma, Anne and all the rest were well when Sis wrote her letter. Was written on the 18th of July. She stated that Ma would start home next day. She is coming home with Ma -?- that I can't be there too. I was very sorry to hear that all Mrs. Jones' sons had been so unfortunate. Many a poor mother has lost her son since this war began. O when will this trouble end. I wrote a few lines to Etta a few days since but I fear she never got my letter. I have tried to send a letter to you by every possible chance but would(?)be getting half that I started to you. I expect Ed and L Jones are both at home. If they are you must write to me and let me hear how their wounds are doing. I have not seen either of them since they were wounded but I hear that neither of their wounds were very serious. I expect M. Dove is at home before now, his wound is a flesh wound (so B. Stillwell told me They were all fortunate to get slight wounds. Wounded men are all that -3- furloughs now. Well my dear everybody thought this campaign would have ended long since, but I believe now it will last through the fall season. We don't expect any rest until next winter and I hope this war will end then for both parties appear to be tired of war. If our people would do better I think the war would soon end, but our people have not been sufficiently humbled yet. Well Mollie I will tell you something about my -?-. I -?- with that Senior Capt. In one regiment he acts as major all the time. I command his company and one other all the time. He is a very nice man. He and I very intimate and get along finely. Though I get along exceedingly well with everybody in the Regt. Though I can't help feeling lonesome sometimes when I think of my own company who are now lying/dying (?) northern prisons. Well Mollie, W Danner has just received a letter from J. Dial stating that Uncle J. Boyd, R Boyd, J J Boyd, & E Pain had all gone home on detail to get some horses. They are lucky to get home at such a time as this. Wish I could go home while so many are going but I don't expect to go soon. Well my dear I hear there is some trouble of getting letters off this evening so I will hurry and try to get this off though I fear I shall be too late now. I have not written as much as I want to but will try to write again soon. -?- write often your letters will get through some way after a while. So -?- is that the -?- letters any how. Our troops are not in as good spirits as when Gen Johnson was in command of this army but we all are better mined never to be subjugated by Yankees. We believe our cause a just one and before that the Lord will give us power to gain our independence yet if can live to see our country free again I think I shall feel very thankful. We have great reason to thank God for what he has already done for us. He has -?- us with good - - the means of feeding our armies and has given us many victories when the enemies force was much larger than ours. We should remember all these things and give God the praise. Well my dear I will close my letter. Tell Etta and Grandma both write to me. Give my love to all my friends. Remember me to all your father's children. God bless them. I often think of them all. I will write as often as I can though my chances are bad. May God bless you with all your friends. Remember me your devoted and loving husband. Thom Simmons ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #10 Line of Battle near Sandtown road August the 6th 1864 My Dear Mollie, As I am where I can't talk with you I will try and employ a portion of the evening by writing. I have had no news from you later than the letter dated 20th July. I am well and hope you can say the same. I have just been relieved from a perilous tour of picket duty. I went scouting in the evening south & remained right at the enemy line until I was relieved, we expected to have a hard fight and then be captured for the line sent us word that we would be attacked & ordered us to hold the picket line at all hazards. I was the only company officer from our Regt and I had 30 men with me. The Yanks charged the pickets line on left & captured about 100 men from our division this came up within two or three hundred of where we were but we fired them and they never came any nearer but remained there and built breast-works. Our line of breast works are not far from the Yanks line. We sharp shot them at their breast works from our picket lines. Our Brigade has lost about 300 men in the last ten days (as I was told by one of our field officers today). Our Regt has lost between 25 or 30 men during the last 3 days (most of them captured). I had one man severely wounded this morning. I have lost 12 men (from the 2 companies I have in charge in less time than one week). One company in our Regt has a Capt & a Sergt wounded yesterday. Our Regt is getting very small. If we get in many more fights we have no Regt. We had about 45 officers & between 6 or 7 hundred men for duty when we left Demopolis, and now we have 9 officers and about 100 men. I heard a field officer say today that our Division has lost men enough in the last 3 days to make a good Regt. We have great reason to be thankful that we are not all captured or killed for the Lord has spared us through many dangers. The canon and minnie balls fall all around us here every day. Our lives are so near the enemy that we are in danger all the time we are never out of range of their guns day nor nights when we go on picket we have to stay in pits dug in the ground from one night until the next, can't get out to get water without being shot at. But our men just laugh and talk as though there was no danger. Our men and Yanks hollow & dare each other out of the ditches. Well Mollie I have no news of importance to write. Wish could get a letter from you. I have not heard from any of my relatives since I wrote you. I wrote to Uncle G.W.T. sometime since but I reckon he is not going to write to me or he would done so before now. We have pleasant weather now cloudy and just rain enough to cool the air. The Lord blesses us in many respects although He permits our enemy to press us on all sides, hope all will work out good for us yet, let us live in hope anyhow. Well Mollie I don't know whether you can read this letter or not for one of our Battries are shooting right here at me all the time & I am expecting the Yanks to shoot at the Battery all the time. I shall not write much now for I am out of paper, pens & ink. Give my love to all my friends. Would like to see you all but don't expect to get home soon. Tell my friends to write me, tell them not forget me. I have forgot none of them. I expect a letter from you soon. Want you to write often. Let me hear from Capt. Moore's little family. God bless his children. I know they want to see their Pa. God grant that this war may soon end. Kiss my darling Willie for me when you see him. W. Banner is well. If I live to see this campaign ended I shall send for you to come to see me. My dear you must pray for me. Pray in faith, God will answer sincere and faithful prayer. I remain your own devoted and faithful husband until death. R.T.M.Sirmrons ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #11 Line of battle near Atlanta Ga August the 9th 1864 My dear loving and affecinate(sic) wife I have been desirous of writing to you for two or three, but being surrounded by so many perils & dangers I have defered the task, waiting an opportunity to write under more favorable circumstances. But alast after my delay I still have to write while overshadowed by many dangers. I do hate write under such circumstances but when I left you to come to this army you requested me to write often & wanted me always to write the truth & state my true condition which I have manag (?) try today(?) which I have never written you a letter when so closely pressed as at present. I am happy to say that the whole army is not so closely confined as most of this division is) the lines of the two contending parties are much nearer than they have been during the present campaign the main lines near to each other that it is easy matter to throw shells from one to the other. And our picket lines are near enough to the enemy's breast works to sharp shoot them with some success & their sharp shooters annoy us too in the same manner. Our s.shooters have killed several yanks today from our line of breast works to theirs: their sharpshooters killed one man & wounded one from company yesterday we(?) have/can sixty(?) line at our and see hosts of yankees all the (?)and we can't step out of the ditches without being exposed to great danger. The cannon balls and bullets are passing and striking within a few feet of me constantly. It has been so far two or three days & grows worse. Our picket line is in front of our works and near the Yanks. We have to (?) our pickets in the night & are compelled to be very quiet & slow(?) about it even when(?) and then we have(?) night until the next (just have to be down behind logs or trees and do the best we can for twenty four hours. I expect I shall have to go on picket tonight and remain out until tomorrow night unless the garde(?) relieves me as they have done many of this company lately. We are generally ordered to hold our picket lines at all hazards, and whenever the enemy charges our pickets, they kill, wound and capture a great many of our men though they generally capture more than they kill and wound. Well my dear this is my last leaf of paper so I shall make my letter brief. T S ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #11A(rr) aug 18 - 1864 Line of battle Near Atlanta, Ga. Aug the 18th My dear loving wife I will now endeaver to write a few lines in answer to your's received yesterday. I was extremely glad to hear from you, was very sorry to know that your jaw was still giving you pain. hope it has gotten well before now. -Though if not I would advise you to have some of your teeth extraced for I am sure that decaying teeth are the cause of you suffering so much with your jaw.-- My health is very good though my jaw is paining me some to day: But I hope it will not get very bad I am glad you have been to Uncle G. W. T's! Sorry his family is not well. -H. Danner is well. very little sickness here now. the whole army is remarkably healthy. Well my Dear I have but little news of importance. the yanks have made another raid through the country cuting the west Point R.Road again but they did not set us back much for we had nearly abandoned that road any how. the raiders were met by some of our troop before they sacked the Macon R. R. & were compelled to turn their course & make their escape by flight. Gen. Wheeler has gone to the rear of Shermans army with a large force of picked cavalry. he has been gone several days & rumer sais he has cut the R.R. between here & Dalton & I suppose it is so for one of the yanks to some of our men that their supplys were cut off. If Gen. Wheeler succeeds in his undertaking Sherman & his black hearted soldiers will be compelled to withdraw his army (from Atlanta or assault our works & in either case the result will be disastrous to his army. The present is an interesting moment: Something must be done very soon. We are all anxiously waiting to hear from Gen. W___ . If he is successful our prospects will be bright?ned _?_ if _?_ ?uccessfu? th? _?_ God grant us success I pray. Our troops are in fine spirits generaly speaking. But there are some exceptions; And those who are despondent themselves are having a bad influence on others. If we can succeed in holding our present position the morale of our army will remain unchanged, (comparatively speaking) But if we are compelled to fall back & give up this place I fear the army will be greatly demoralised: Gen Johnson could have retreated across this state & kept the troops all in good spirits but it is not so with Gen H- I hope our next move will be a forward moovement (that is I hope we may soon have the pleasure of following Sherman's Army in full retreat) We have had a remarkably quiet time this morning though the sharpshooters & skirmishers are firing briskly at each other now. & the batterys are begining to fire some on our right and left. There are some indications of an attack just now but the enemy has disappointed us so often that we never know when he intends making an assault. Though we are ready for him & if he does come he will meit with a warm reception. - Well Mollie I wrote to you on the 16th. I write to you twice a week sometimes oftener. I went on picket night before last & was relieved last night. I had ___?__ably fine time, th? enemy agreed to not fire at us on picket if we would not fire on them. So we agreed to their proposal and fared better than if we had not been on picket for they fired over us at our line of battle & killed one officer & wounded some more men. (Our picket line is in a ravine between the two main lines so it is an easy matter to fire over the pickets without them being in much danger.)------ Amen wounded. One of our men was wounded about a minute ago he was here behind the breastworks the sharpshooters are throwing the minnie balls all around us. they shoot at us whenever they see our heads above the works. I think I shall stop writing in a few minutes & take a few shots at them. they make me dodge constant. well Mollie I will tell you what I did yesterday while on picket. I heard a squad of yankees diging a redoubt on a little ridge. I concluded to watch them so I sliped up within about 30 yards of them and * (our pickets were in a few steps of the enemy all day yesterday) watched them for aboutt two hours & then sliped off again without being discovered by them. I am geting very tired of this campaign though I hope it will end soon & if we are successful through this campaign I trust the war will be virtually ???sed. I have not heard from any of our friends since I wrote to you. I feel thankful for God's protection through past dangers. o- may I still be protected through f?t_?_ dangers. Well my Dear I must bring my letter to a close I believe the yanks are about to attack us we are geting ready for them. I believe we will be in a battle in less time than an hour judging from the present indications. May God aid us & lead us through safe is my sincere prayr. Give my love to all my friends. I must stop for the present but will write more if I get the chance. May the Lord bless you & all my friends I am your true loving & devoted husband. R. T. M. Simmons. Later in the evening, the Yanks did not attack us. I think their officers tryed to make them charge our works but they would not do it. I don't think they can induce their men to charge us without making them drunk. Dont be uneasy I will write to you often. do write me often. tell Ett to write R. T. M. Simmons * NOTE: this line was written in the top margin on page #4 ? and _?_ couldn't distinguish the letter or group of letters even if the word could be guessed from the remaining letters. ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #12 Columbus Ga Friday evening Aug 26 1864 Dear Mollie I am a long ways from where I was when I wrote to you. We left Atlanta early yesterday came to Macon rested there until about dark last night, then started to this place I (Columbus). We got here about 10 o'clock this morning and will leave here about half after two o'clock this afternoon. Think we will get to Montgomery some time tomorrow morning. Our whole Brigade is along, think we are on our way to Mobile but don't know for certain yet. I saw Ed this morning. Met him on the train, he is on his way to Macon he intends trying to get his furlough extended he left home last Sunday. All well. Never got to talk more than one minute with him. his wound is not well but does look very bad. L. Tiner got home was taken with brain fever the first night. Sent for Gennie, she got there but her poor husband was speechless and died in a few hours. 0, I do feel so sorry for Sis. Lewis had been away from her about two years & got home and died without ever speaking to her. I know it will nearly kill her. Uncle Thomas Howle was killed in the battle on the 28th July, his body was left on the field. I think we will have hard fighting at Mobile soon. I wrote to Ma yesterday and mailed the letter at Macon, will try and finish this letter and mail it when we get to Montgomery. Must stop writing now for we will soon leave here for--(?). Montgomery Aug 27th 1864 r Well Mollie I will close my letter and mail it. We got to Montgomery about ten minutes ago and we expect to start right off to Mobile in a few minutes. would write more but have no time.. the General is in great hast to get to Mobile, expect to fight soon after we get to Mobile, Well I must stop writing. With love RT M Simmons ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #12A(rr) Comp 40th Ala Vols Hollywood Friday Aug(Sep(in pencil))9th, 1864 Dear Mollie Your's of sept the __?__ came to hand this evening I was glad indeed to receive it for I had began to get impatient waiting for a letter from: I received one Etta written two days later than your's got it before I got yours but hers came by mail & your's by hand: Sergt. Lockard brought yours I have not seen him yet he is about two miles from here (sent the letter to me) Well my dear I am glad you never had any more chills: hope you may enjoy good health this fall &winter I have recieved letters from Ma, Sis, Sallie, and Mammie, all since we came to this place I have received about 8 letters since day before yesterday morning! have answered all except your's & Etta's and they came to day. will answer your's now & will answer her's as soon as I can get some paper, this is my last peice I use a great deal of paper writing business letters for members of our old company wish I could get letters from my friends every day never get tired of reading & answering my friends letters. My dear you seem to think I will come home soon I fear you will be disappointed for I see no probability of geting a furlough soon: I have allready applied for a leave of absence & if it is granted I will go to ma's to stay one day: would like to go home but but will not have time to go home & get back before any __?__ will be out: If I get my I will be at ma's on the 12th. want you to be there: But you must not be disappointed if I don't come for I have but little hopes of coming: I would like for you to come see me if I knew we would stay here but we expect orders to move every day: this would be a fine place for you to stay at if I had money for it is a pleasant place & I could get house soon any where: most of the people have left here this is a flourishing little town there was about two hundred boarders here untill the yankees came up with their gun Boats: now the boarders have all gone; I __?__ there are fifty nice houses here unoccupied. a great many of them are well furnished with nice beds & furniture of all kinds The yanks are not far off their whole flot of gun boats lie in sight of us all the time and one Boat comes near the Beach every night and then leaves again in the morning: we could shoot but if we were to fire at her She could shell us off the Beach so we don't wish to fire at her as long as she remains peacable and does not attemp to land troops: (though we intend trying to blow her up with a torpedo to night. would not be surprised if we have an interesting time for the other boats will be very apt to shell us if we succeed in distroying this: have one exceeding fine time now: but would not be astonished if we were have bad times soon: well my dear I will be compelled to finish my letter on pieces of paper. (ends here) ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #12B(rr) Sep(?),1864 "Well Mollie I shall try and go to mobile to meet you at the cars on thursday morning. (the 17th). Be Sure to come for if you dont I will be disappointed, if I do not meet you in mobile you must get some one to help you to the Boat Landing and come on over to blakely or Spanish fort: but me or Hugh one will be very apt to meet you at the cars thursday morning. I expect you had better bring me a bed quilt if you cannot get me a blanket: you must get Some one to take care of your horse and I will pay them for it. If any body kneed him let them have him for his feid! I will write another letter to you and Send it to the Springs in care of ma, though I will back it in your name and you can get it when you get to lauderdale station. Borrow as much money as you want I can get as much as I want when you get here and you can pay it back as soon as you go home: Maj- Willett says he will let me have as much money as I want: nothing more at present, Thom." ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #13 Comp 40th Ala Vols Eastern Shore Friday night Oct 28th 1864 Dear Mollie Your very welcome letter of the 24th inst came to hand today and I read it with much satisfaction. I had begun to be very impatient for I had written five letters to you since I left home & had received none from you. I had begun to think you had forgotten me entirely. I think might have written sooner than you did for I left on the 17t and you never wrote until the 24th. I was glad to hear that you had gotten the bundle that I expressed to you. You seem to want to know what your cloak costd .. well it costd one hundred and twenty-five dollars (and cheap at that.) I believe I could have sold it for $175. Most of the cloaks are worth from three to six hundred dollars. Black casimere cloaks are worth six hundred dollars. I sold your geans for twenty-five dollars per yard. The black brought as much as the grey, the homspun brought six dollars per yard. Well dear I had concluded to stop writing until I could where you were. I am sorry you have been troubled so with your cloth .. hope it got to wearing better before you get through with it. I wrote to Etta a few days ago though have not had time to get an answer to my letter, hope she will answer my letters promptly for I am anxious to hear from them all. I am very sorry I never got to be with Uncle Ron more of my time. I thought when I went home I would get to spend one night and day at Uncle Ron's and one night and day at Bet's but only staid at Uncle Ron's a few minutes at Bet's one night..feel like I hardly saw either of them. I am anxious to hear from Mr. Tirk, whether he is well or not. I suppose you will be at home in a day or two so I will send this letter to Livingston in order that you may get it soon after you get home. I want to see you all nearly as bad as ever. My visit appears to me more like a dream than realty. If I had known as much before I left home I should have staid there longer than I did for I have suffered a great deal with my jaw since I left you. But I believe it is nearly as well as again now. One Lieutenant who left here a day or two after I did has not come back yet. he just got a furlough for fifteen days & as soon as he got home he wrote back and had his furlough extended ten days longer. Wish I had done so too now. , Well Mollie I brought your picknic (sie) gloves off in my coat pocketr never knew it till I was in camp. Major Willett & Capt Latham laughed at me a great deal for bringing your gloves off with me. They told me that I brought them off as a token of remembrance--I gave them to H. Banner to carry home. I also gave him money & told him to buy a book apiece for Waldo & Willis. he carried my bucker home to bring me some more butter. I will try & go to Mobile to meet Hugh. I will go over Tuesday & stay until Wednesday (if I get my pass in time). Well Mollie it is getting late & I have company tonight so I mu st soon bring my letter to a close. But write soon and often & I will write you so many letters that you will almost get tired reading them. I have been very busy all day making out Muster Rolls & pay Rolls for our men to get their pay. have not had time to write to you today and will be very busy all day tomorrow. I think we will get some money now soon. Tell Etta I want all the news when she writes. Tell Bettie L I don't thank her for coming to Ma's to see me after I left. My love to Grandrna, Etta, Mollie, Bob and all Uncle Ron's family, also your brothers & sisters. I shall look for two letters from you every week. Write whether you have news or not. May God bless you and all my friends. RTM Simmons P S If this gets to you before Hugh B leaves you will please send me a nice bee's wax candle. RTM Simmons ROBERT MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #14 Spanish Fort Dec 29/64 Dear Katy, I have seated myself once more to write a few lines to you: but am sorry that I have no letter from you to answer. I fully expected to have had the pleasure of answering one of your letters today but have been disappointed in my expectation. Though failing to get letters from you regularly does not hinder me from writing to you as often as I have the opportunity of doing so. I have no good news to write except that we have tolerably good health. Have had no news from Sherman lately but it is generly believed that he (Sherman) has made his way through to Savanah. The last account of Gen Hood he was retreating being closely pursued by a large yankee force; though before that Hood is not so badly whiped as is represented, ?NOTE: The 2nd page of this letter is missing. ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #15 NOTE: No date or location - was probably 2nd page of a letter Well Mollie it is now getting in the evening and I will try to write more in my letter. I have just been to see George Wiggins he is quite sick. I never knew it until after I had commenced my letter. I went to see him just as soon as I heard that he was sick. He is here in camps though I think he will be sent to the hospital or some private house tomorrow where he can be better cared for. Be has had fever since yesterday but has had no chill...Well my dear it seems to me like a long time since you wrote to me. The letter you wrote me at Ma's was written ten days ago. I think I certainly will get a letter from you in a day or two. This is the fourth letter to you since you went home. We have had a very dull Christmas. Some of our men got drunk and behaved very badly .. and the Colonel has had thirteen of them arrested and has appointed me to take charge of the prisoners. I don't have any guard duty to do now. I will have charge of the provost guard as long as I stay here. I have sent up my certificate and made application to go on duty at Eutaw, Greene County but have not heard from my application yet. We are having very cold weather here now. We get our mail very irregularly now .. only get it about twice a week. I shall try to write you once every week as long as I can write at all. I fear the General will send me off somewhere. But if I go to Eutaw I will try to come by home for a day, but if I am sent off the other way I will not get home soon. If I do come home I will be there very shortly, but you must not be disappointed if I don't come at all. I will not write any more now. I remain your devoted husband. Thom ROBERT THIMAS SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #16 Selma Ala Feb 12th 1865 My dear wife I write a few lines to you to let you know that I landed here safe. Got here last night but found Col Hunt and his Adjutant both absent. So I will not get to see either of them before tomorrow. I went & reported to the Commander of the Post & he told me to just wait until Monday and then report to Col Hunt. I will find out what I do tomorrow. Uncle Berry is here. I am staying with him today. I could not afford to board at the hotel for board. To board is worth 20 dollars(?) per day (?) for I ? think? I will get duty here or be sent to the ?funrial? about fifty miles from here on the Tennessee R. Road. I will write again soon & let you know what I do. No news here. I am well though I suffered with cold last night. I will not write much now, just enough for you to hear from me. Well I must close my letter. I remain your devoted husband. R T M Simmons ROBERT THOMAS SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #16A(rr) Selma Ala. March 15th 1965 My Dear Wife I will try & write a Short note to you in order that you may know that I landed here Safe I was on the road two days. when I got to Bennet's Station he told me there would be no train through that day & advised me to go home and stay until wednesday. I told him no and walked on down the railroad to Leis Station took dinner with Bill Davis and then got on a freight train and went down as far as Arington's & went to George Torry's & Staid all night. then walked to the river next morning. Got here about 8 oclock last night found my officers in a fine humor but Still had nothing for me to do. So I went and Staid with J Bonds last night and then reported back at Col. Hunts office this morning and he Still had nothing for me to do but said he would assign me to duty this evening he sais he will send me out after some men who have ran away and speaks of keeping me for that duty. I dont like the duty for it is dangerous and disagreeable but I Shall do what ever I am ordered to do I expect I will be up in north Ala. a good portion of my time ROBERT THOMAS SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #17 Livingston, Ala March 17th 1865 Dear Wife I am still in Livingston. I got to Mr. Hainsworth's last night. He lives about 8 miles from this place. He appeared perfectly willing to go with me to Selma but could not go until tomorrow so I am lying over at this. I wrote to you day before yesterday and mailed the letter yesterday (at least I gave it to a friend) to mail as he came the station. I wrote in that letter about sending some thread to you. I suppose the thread is at ?Bennets? Station before now . Hanly is detailed here at this place. He will start home in a day or two. John Thomas is at home, a great many of our prisoners are coming home on parole now. I am expecting to see some of our boys every day. Mollie you must write to me, you will address to follows Lieut R T M Simnons, Selma, Ala. Nothing more but remain your own affecionate husband. Thom x x R T M Simmons ROBERT THOMAS SIMMONS LETTERS - CSA #18 NOTE: No location - No date Another 2nd page(?) Mollie you must write all the news. Tell Etta to write. I will write to her soon. My love to Grandma and all inquiring friends. I can't collect any money yet.--(?)-- I supose you might get salt in Livingston at government prices. I have tried to get some coffee (?) coppras (3) for you but failed to get it. I will get some as soon as I draw some money. I think I shall (?) a months pay soon. I would love to write a long letter to you but have no change now. I just bought paper to write one letter. . cost 50 cents. Domestic is worth from $10 to $15 per yard in this place. Calico is worth from 22 to 30 dollars per yard. Be sure to write soon and often. How is Robert coming on with his lame leg. Well I must quit and try a get some dinner. I have got money to buy one dinner. (no signature) ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - Mack #19 ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY Office of Train Master ? 11-25-1891 ? (or 1897 ?) Mr R T M Simnons & wife Meridian, Miss. Dear Father and Mother: Again I am blessed-?-opportunity of writing you all a-?-. It has been continually raining-?-night, and the work that I am-?-. I am working at the Steam-?-just 3 miles north of-?- by track. Sunday night. Well again I will-? write a little more. I have just finished making out my-?-monthly-?-which is a job and we have had only-?-all evening too. It is still raining and the mud there is -?-. Well my gang was cut today, down to 3 men. So there wont be quite so much in it for me. I checked them this morning for $-?-and last month for $-?-. I-?-pretty soon to-?-I want to build a nice & neat one and-?-to date if nothing prevents - ? have enough to do so by Xmas. I will-?-to see you all by that time?-of month. Just think-?-nearly three years since I was home. I am so anxious to-?-be with you all once with you all once more. You ought to see Emma-she is fat as a guinea pig. I weigh about 155-? pounds now, more than Ive weighed since I came so near dying this summer. The Good Lord has blessed us this year. I am out of - ?-debt-?-something over too. Tell all of the children I am coming home Xmas and I will try to get Old Santa Claus to come over with me. Ask what they want him to bring them this time. I am so anxious to see all of you, but will try to tough it out until Xmas. I have been mad at myself ever since I didn't keep Kellie over here with me. He would have been so much company for Emna & she could have kept him up in his studies. Tell Nip Emma is good-?-of him so much. Must excuse this short letter but we have to-?-get up so early and work so-?- late-?-any too much sleep. I am-?-dreading my work next week so-?-and still-?-I hafter-?-keep a watch man day and night and then can't sleep many nights. I will close with much love to -?-. Your devoted son and daughter Mack and Emna Simnons P S Papa pay my tax and I will settle with you very soon. Mackey ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - Texas #20 Waco, Texas Febry 17th 1911 Mr. R.T.M. Simmons My dear old Comrade. If you knew the pleasure it gave me to hear from you and to know that you are yet living, it would make you happy. I received your letter on the 8th inst and read it with so much pleasure that I have read it over two or three times. It brings back to memory so many things that occurred when we were defending our homes and country that I love to cherish them, although many of them were very painful. My memory is so filled with (?) and with occurrences of those days that I could write a book of incidents about men and officers, companies and regiments, brigades and divisions, but none are more vivid than the thing? which took place on Lookout Mountain that rainy, foggy day--the 24th of November 1863. And none of those are more distinct in my mind than the helpless condition in which I found you wounded and bleeding to death, with no one giving you any attention. Do you remember that I got salt and had you cram your mouth full of it to stop the bleeding? It stopped it and saved your life--so I acted the surgeon as well as the nurse. I recollect all about putting you in the wagon and seeing to it that you got to the railroad so you would be certain to get to a hospital and have attention. I expect I remember many incidents connected with your case that you do not, for the fact was you were so dazed with suffering and weak from loss of blood that I wonder you can remember as much as you do. While it is a pleasure to me to know that I was a help to you in your needs I take no credit for doing what was my duty to do for a suffering brother; and it is a consolation to know that if I did not save the Confederacy, I did save the life of a dear comrade, and to know you are yet living and have not forgotten me. I and John Maggard of Co. A are the only members of our regiment who are living here in Waco. Others have lived here, but are dead and there are some scattered all through Texas. Simnons, a cousin of yours--of your Company ?K? who lost a leg on Lookout, is living in Buck, Texas, but I have not seen him since 1895. Your Lieutenant Saunders died several years ago in Louisiana, and Lieut Bingham is preaching some where in Mississippi. What has become of Capt McMoore? I have not heard of him for many years -- is he living yet? You write of old comrades in Livingston - Capt Jones of CoC and San Sprotte of Co A are all that I know of our old regiment who are living there. Col Higley and C L Gully have been dead ten or fifteen yeaIs, Major Willett has been dead for twenty years, and Col Coleman died in Birmingham last year. The old comrades are going fast -- many more dead than living, and soon all will have crossed the mysterious chasm, which separates the living and the dead, and will stand the old Confederate Army on the plains of eternity. Since my article on Mr McMullen and our old flag I have received a letter that the flag is in Livingston in the care of daughters of Col Gully. Write me, for I love to hear from you --- and old comrades ---and tell me about oId comrades, and about everything of interest, and belive me Your friend and comrade. W. C. Dodson ROBERT THOMAS MICHELBERRY SIMMONS LETTERS - Texas #21 Waco, Texas Nov 14, 1911 My dear old comrade and friend. I got your letter of Febry 29 telling me of the death of so many of our old comrades, and also of your feeble health. That is the last I have heard from you, but trust you are in better health now, and that you are in your old age enjoying the fruits of a well spent life, with a well grounded hope of that which is to come. I was glad that you wrote to me about so many of our old comrades, for I feel an interest in each and all of them, and am glad so many are yet living; although they are comparatively few, and far between. John Maggard and myself are the only ones here of our old regiment, but we have some of the 54th Alabama, which was in our brigade, after you were disabled. Capt Jones of Livingston, died in August, so that as far as I know Sam Sprott is the only man of our old Fortieth left there. I learn that our old flag is in the hands of Colonel Gully's daughters--all safe so that is one thing the Yankees never captured. When you see the Culpeppers give them my kindest regards. I am glad to hear of them -- they were true men and good soldiers. Dear Clint Houston is gone, but I am glad Robert Houston and Col Stone are yet living. I am, and have been for several months, a helpless cripple, and am now just able to hobble about the house with a stick. Ever since the war I have suffered with an old hurt in my hip which gave me a great deal of trouble, and this summer the Sciattica attacked my hip and right leg, and I am afraid it has made me a cripple for life. I have to sit and write on my knee, and make a poor out at it. Write to me when you can for it gives me pleasure to hear from you. This time 48 years ago we were on the slope of Lookout, and the 24th of this month will be 48 years since that Yankee shot you in the mouth, and I thank our heavenly Father that he has spared you so long." In friendship WC Dodson Additional Comments: A photo of this family can be seen at http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/sumter/photos/gph127simmonsr.jpg and more info at http://members.tripod.com/psysim/rtmsimcsa1.html This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 65.8 Kb