Camp of 8th Mich. Vols Louden. Tenn Oct 27th 1863, Dear Mother. I feel a little like writing today and have taken out my Pen & paper several times but could not think who I wanted to write to most so I would put it up again but I have come to the conclusion that you, for one will be glad to hear from me so I sometimes think that all my corispondances are tired of hearing from me for I write (as I think very poor letters) but I guess they are much better than none to you. and as letters from you are a great Source of comfort to me I shall continue to Write to you at all events/ yes I am Well I suppose that is the most assen- tial point. I hope this will find you enjoying yourselves. But I must tell you about our high living we have bin on half rations now for sometime and are getting rather short of (Grub) which is a Soldiers all.) so we have bought [shorts?] to the Mill for one cent a pound and we baked some cakes and they made us all sick for a little while then we would try some other way of baking. by mixing a stiff dough and winding it on a stick and holding it over the fire, we sometimes use our rations of flour in the same way it makes very good Bread ------------ One day later well Mother we received orders late last night to be up and ready to march at 4, Oclock in the morning which we did We all crossed the river early in the Morning and Evacuated the Town for some reason I cannot tell why. But I think we are going to cross Back over the Mountain again into Ky. but I little care whare we go for it is just the same thing over all the time, only I hope we shall get around whare we can get things from Home and receive Mail regular I suppose it is impossible to get Provisions through here [two words illegible] as they have to draw it all 174 Miles with Mules over the Mountains at that. and it is impossible to do it as soon as wet weather comes on. we have very good weather here yet the nights are getting rather cold but the days are warm and pleasant. Oh Mother we have got a new way of getting a discharge out here now, as thare has just ben an Order issues that any one found stealing sheep, hogs, Geese, or any thing of the kind they shall be Floged, and striped of their Uniform one side of their head shaved and a letter T. for thief Branded on their left cheek, then Drumed out of the Service (how will that do) would you like to have me come Home on those grounds I think you will say No you had rather never see me than have me so disgraced but I think thare is no kneed of that just keep up good courage this winter and use all the money you want to make you comfortable. dont work to hard if you have any hard work to do get some one to do it for you I am perfectly willing you should use every cent of my money if you kneed it to make you comfortable. Oh I recd your letter of Oct 7th containing one from Freddy. also telling about matters at Home I think you are managing things all right I was surprised to hear you raised so many Potatoes you done well indeed, [Written upside down on top of Scan 5] I have seen some of the 8th Mich Cvalry and they say Theodore [McComber?] has Diserted also Ebben Remington I hope they will be caught [End] In camp five miles from [Town?] Well as you say Mother one sheet is not enough for me to write on so I Will take the second for I guess you dont care only it will keep you from work a while to study it and I guess and I hope it will for I fear you are working to hard. (now dont work so Mother) take the times easy you have done your share of work you have always worked hard and now you aught to have a rest. and I am perfectly willing to furnish you with all the little nesisa- you want ties ^. so you kneed not work much, as for your Plans for Winter I am much Pleased with them. I think that is as well as I could do myself But the Bugal is Blowing for to make another move so I must close for the present. Oct. 30th a little later Well here I am again Mother for another chat with you I have told you in the first of my letter that I thought we were going back over the mountains but Yesterday when the Bugal sounded, for a move we [crossed out] [pulled] only moved about one mile. and, went into a piece of woods. and wer ordered to Build Winter quarters we have a nice Place. for it with a splendid Spring of water close by and a Plenty of Wood. We have all ben busy to work at cutting timber this fore noon but it is raining this PM so we cant work so I will write a little. now I must tell you what kind of a house we are Building it is to be 8 feet wide and 15. feet long 6. feet high and covered with our shelter tents, for. 8 men I think that is Packing us in to tight But I can stand it if the others can, DeWitt is my Old Bunk mate yet, he is well, also Billy Cale. Eli Cranston, has ben over here to see me again to day Perhaps you would like to hear the prises of things down here Butter is .70.cts per lb. Cheese 50.cts Flour only 8.cts per lb.) and Tea $3.00 a pound good green tea three dollars ^ that's up I think their prices will not trouble me much. for I dont intend to buy much this Winter. I shall send Home all the money I can next Pay day. and I want you to use it as free as if you had worked and earned it yourself Well it is getting dark and I will Bid you good evening and try to finish tomorrow I guess you will think this a weeks history if I dont finish soon Good Night Now Mother today is the 2nd of Nov and I am determined to finish this tonight if possible we have got our house done or nearly do so we have moved in we have got a nice House. I have ben on Detail all day to build a stable for the officers Horses and have ben Detailed for Picket tomorrow. I recd another kind letter from you last evening dated Oct 23rd and I was very glad to hear from you again it found me in good Health. and as fat and as saucy as ever. You said you did not know how to direct only the old way that is right they all come safe. Now Mother I want to send Home for something to pass away my time with I send you some money $2.00 two dollars and I want you to get me some files and send them in a Package of dried fruit or any thing you wish in just as small a Package as you can send them in and send it by mail. I dont care for any thing in particular, only you will have to put them in something if you can get a little small pasteboard box, just large enough to send them in it will be better go to Mr. Thurbers and tell him you want to send them to me and he will fix them for you. get me one file one half inch wide half round. and two smaller ones of the same kind for making Rings of Pearl or Oyster shells and I shall send you a sample as soon as I get them. Keep the Boots they are all right yet I don't kneed them yet. Please send the files a soon as you can after you get this I will have got settled down Please write often, from Your Affectionate Son B.F. Marsh