ANDREW J. MURPHY LETTER
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Events:Tullahoma Campaign 1/1863 - 7/1863 |
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The following letter was written by Andrew J. Murphy, son of Mary Wynn Tinley Murphy, stepson of Bryan Ward. Andrew J. Murphy enlisted in Company I, 8th Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States Army, in Smith County. He served with that Company & Regiment until his death in combagt at Resaca, Georgia, in 1864. This letter is made available by Mr. George Stone.
January 4, 1863 As Mr. Dice is about starting home, I thought it best to write you a few lines. Our Armis is falling back to Tullahoma to recruit up. I suppose our boys have suffered immenslely, We have been lhying in line of battle for 8 or 9 days. We fougt on the 31st day of Dec. Our left and senter was all that was engaged. We drove them back from 5 to 7 miles with the terribles of slaughter my eyes ever beheld. I think the loss of the enemy will no in killed and wounded some 8 or 10 thousand. We took 6 or 7 thousand prisoners. i can't tell how many other troops suffer but our Regiment. We lost in killed and wounded 250 or 300 men. Our Colonel was killed and nearly all the officers of the Regiment. I believe we have 7 or 8 of them left. Col. Anderson was not hurt neither was Capt. Burford. Lieut. Kirby was killed and several other Burford company. Tell Mr. Kirby marshall is all safe after praying strongly and stood the day pretty well. I was shot through the thige with a minnie ball, though did not stop for it for some 30 or 40 minutes afterwards. I was struck on the hip with a piece of shell which knocked me down and bruised up myh hip, very much though I can walk about a little with the aid of my stick. Can't ride on horse back. Dear Mother, don't suffer and worry about me for i am doing very well. I think I will get well in a short while with proper care and managements. Tell Uncle Bryan I still have both my horses the gorse is not quite sufficient order to sell. I have been offered $450 dollars for him by 4 men. I think one of those men will be very willing to give me five hundred dollars for him. I never saw the like of horses killed in my life. We captured forty seven pieces of fine Artillery all of which we got off the field and small arms I could not tell, a great deal of other valuable property 3 0r 4 hundred wagons and teams. Tell Uncly Bryan I will write to him by the first opportunity. Give my best rspects to all our family and inquiring friends. i will try and come after a while as soon as the Army gets up and settled. May the Lord bless you all is my sincere prayer. i will remain your affectionate son. A.J. Murphy |