/62 
     Holley Springs Mississippi Dec, 24th 
Dear Lucinda 
I once again Sit down to write you a few lines 
to let you know that I am as well as usual 
we are now at Holley Springs we came here day 
before yesterday; we went down ten miles below 
Oxford about forty miles South of here and 
[crossed out] [illegible] a force of the Rebels come around behind 
us and took this place last Saturday and 
Burnt up all the Government Stores that was 
  here and Burnt the houses they were in and 
Blew up our Magazine and in the fray Burnt 
considerable property Belonging to Citizens they took 
about a thousand of our men here and paroled them 
Old man Moody was here and was paroled with the 
Rest, the [crossed out] [y] Rebels knew there was not many members 
So they made a dash and paroled our men Burnt 
the Supplies and Tore up a portion of the Rail Road 
and left again the Same day for fear they would get 
into a trap the Railroad is also Obstructed up 
Near Bolivar by Braggs forces so we have had no 
Mail for Nearly a week The Rebels captured two mails 
the last letter I Rec,d from you was dated Dec 1st 
I got it about two weeks ago I think it is likely 
the Sesh had Spiked Some of my letters I have not 
had a chance to Send out a letter Since the foray until 
this after noon; I am on Detale to day husking corn 
in a Mill Here; So you see we [crossed out] [illegible]will get Some [corn?] 
Dodger I have not mutch time to write to day 
and the Mail will Start out in a few minutes 
we have not had any news in So long a time 
that dont know what is going on in Virginia or 
any place Else; We have not been paid off yet perhaps 
we will will get it when the War is over, if Ever 
this is the nicest winter weather I have Ever seen 
no Snow and about Enough Rain to keep the 
Roads from getting Dusty and warm enough in 
the daytime to go in our Shirt Sleeves you must 
Excuse this Short letter I will write more in my  
Next; we have a Report that Richmond is taken but 
I dont Believe it yet but hope it may be So 
Direct your letters to Cairo Ills, and they will follow 
the Reg,t write Soon; dont mail any more letter at 
Bergen if you can help it, Yours    Thos.J.Davis 
Lucinda.M.Davis