Pioneer: Corps; 3rd Div; 15th A.C. 
  Huntsville Ala April 16th 1864 
Dear Wife 
I Sit down on my bunk this afternoon 
to write you a Short Epistle in answer 
to your Kind letter dated March 30th 
which I rec'd two or three days ago I 
I was verry glad to hear that you was 
well this leaves me in as good health 
as usual: The wether continues quite 
cool I may say nearly cold for an 
overcoat is yet quite a requisite article 
we are [illegible] Still in Huntsville fixing 
to fortify the place: : the Regt (18th) will 
move out of the court house day after 
to morrow they will camp out side 
of Town I dont hear as mutch talk 
of the Reg't going home now as I 
did a month ago. Merrick Rogers 
has got the [illegible]; but it is thought 
he will only have it lightly. 
I rec'd a letter yesterday from Jabe
& Cal Hagerman dated March 26th 
they said they were in moderate health 
but neither of them really stout 
E. Caulkins was tough and rugged 
they said the wether was begining to get 
quite warm at Orleans. there is not 
mutch news of Military character worth 
Mentioning: there was quite an accident 
occurred hear in Town a few days ago. 
One Co of the first Ills Artillery was 
        out 
going ^ of Town to drill and as they was 
crossing the Railroad near the Depot 
the Captain gave orders to close up 
and in order to do so the guns in the 
      as 
rear was brought up on a trot; and ^ one 
of the Caisons or (amunition) wagon 
Struck the R Road [crossed out] [Track] Iron; which 
Exploded a percussion Shell Igniting the 
rest and Blowing the whole Cassion to 
atoms Killing four men and one 
horse tearing them litterally to pieces 
and wounding three other soldiers and one 
     citizen
 it was a horible sight and will 
learn others to be more caustious in 
future; it was however a lesson of 
prudence verry dearly bought: 
I supose you are wondering when the 
18th will come home: but it would be best 
for you to think as little about it as 
possible for that will not bring us any 
sooner  .E Warner staid all night with 
our Regt a few nights ago on his way 
to the 25th the 25th is at Moorsville 
about 20 miles from here; We will 
probably not start for home before the first 
of June dont look for us any before 
that time: I Should not wish to keep 
you in suspence looking for us when 
I Know there is no probability of us 
getting Started from here 
How mutch better it would suit me 
if I could walk over and see you 
every week and talk with you and 
tell you what I wished to say
Instead of conveying my thoughts 
such a distance to you: by making 
crooked marks on this paper; but the 
process as Slow as it is : I am glad there 
is one medium by which I can converse 
with you: No circumstance can better serve 
to Cause a person to appreciate the value of 
a friend (Especially a Husband or Wife) than 
that of being Seperated from them: But 
true faith of the virtue and integrity one to  
another is worth more than gold: I wonder if 
any husband has Kept sacred his vow of single 
love; or has he sought or been won by other 
female Smiles; has been a querry in the minds  
of many a wife since this war began; I wonder if 
my wife retains her propper affection for me 
and carries herself above Suspicion in my absence 
or has she given herself up to her passions is the 
querry of many soldiers in the field: and I am 
Sorry to say there is too mutch ground for these 
Susicions in many cases on both sides 
My paper is out I must close Yours Always 
           T.J.Davis 
L.M. Davis