May 25, AD, 1863 
Camp of the 18th Mich. Vol. Inft 
        Nashville Tennesee 
     Respected. Brother. & . Sister 
as there a letter due you or not I dont know 
as it makes any material difference. anyhow 
I will try & write a few lines as this is [crossed out] [th] 
such a beautiful. & Shady plase I am 
under a Shade tree. in a door yard, the 
Soldiers from about there. most of them are 
well. as a General thing we all enjoy good 
health. I am happy to tell you that Ralph 
is again with us . he is not tough, but I 
think his exchange will be for his benefit 
all appears to be quiet about here. 
old. Valindingham. went through this City 
this Morning under Guards. he is to be taken 
beyond the lines. then let loose to tell all 
to the Rebels. Some that have been sent 
South, they have given about 3 weeks 
to find out all they could about our 
Army. I presume[crossed out] [d] they Improved the 
time. at any rate they gave them 3 weeks notice
the weather is quite warm. & very 
pleasant. there is Generaly a cool 
breese Stiring therefore it is not as Sultry 
as it would be were there no breese. the 
weather is about as warm here now. as 
it is there in Harvest 
Still our Guard. & Picket duty is heavy 
every other day on one or the other 
the Health of the Regiment is tolerable good 
but I am afraid it will not remain so long 
we have so much night work to do 
we have three or four Releafs which 
makes it not very hard we would not 
think it very hard if we were not 
Solbiers, I am afraid if we get home 
Some of us cannot work more than an 
hour or two. without being relieved 
but we have not got home yet, nor I dont 
see as there is much prospect, of it 
I expect if I have my health to Stay till 
the WAR is no more then if I get home 
I can Stay Contented when they will 
not have to be Calling for Volenteers
Soldiering is fine Business 
   we have moved our Camp a little 
  nearer the City we have Inspection 
the first. 8th 17th & 23 of each 
month. so you see we have to keep 
our Guns very nice. the boys think 
they have to put on a great deal of style 
but it is a good thing to keep clean 
William what do you think of your little 
Sporting piece. do you still keep it 
I like my old [illegible] very well, but 
we never had much Chance to use them 
one Shot [illegible] Some. it Shoots very 
well but it dont matter much about the 
Shooting part. if they only look well 
our Colonel Started for Home this 
Morning his Wife is Sick, perhaps 
you will see him at Hillsdale 
he is a fine fellow. the Negroes 
are pulling down houses where they 
are Building a Fort they are Build- 
ing a very large one out here close 
but they get along very Slow
poor Negroes [crossed out] [have] do not have 
as fine a time as they used to have 
according to their tell but I often see 
them Riding out in finer Carriages than 
we see in that Country. they dress 
well & live well. & have good old times 
as they call them. they have Sundays 
besides other days of pleasure. they do 
not work very hard in fact I believe 
they are better off than they would be 
if they were free. they get a good liveing 
their Clothes & have nothing to care for 
only them selves. many Slaves raise 
Turkeys. Chickens. etc. have all they can 
make to Spend as they are a right to 
Ralph say's hura & get done I guess you 
have heard enough about the Negroes 
if you wish to hear any more let me know 
it write & let me know how you get 
along how does the Girls get along now 
days I understand Edward has got home 
write all the news I saw Geo Simons 
the other day their regiment is going to the 
front. no more this time my Respects to all 
     I remain your Brother Albert W Barber