Morristown Dec. 4, 1861

Beloved wife

I feel much relieved having just finished reading you letter written 1st inst. I was beginning to feel anxious about you. I have dreamed of you almost every night and although we hate to acknowledge that we believe in dreams yet we cannot help being influenced by them. Although there was nothing in my dreams calculated to make me uneasy about you, but contrarywise yet having expected a letter sooner I was beginning to feel impatient.

I have full condidence in your ability to take care of yourself and our children, but of course I cannot feel indifferent about you. I know you will often meet with difficulties that you would not if I was there. You must be prepared for it. I want you to determine to take things easy. Don't let trifiling circumstances make you unhappy. While I think of it, you might have one of those hogs in the pen killed. You will have enough meat to do you if you are not spunged upon too much. I know with the blessings of God you can get along. As for myself I don't think you need have any uneasiness. I have been uniformly well. I have stayed in camp and took the same fare with the boys, and have not even had a bad cold which has been very common among the soldiers. Jo has been affected with cold but is getting better. Will seems to be standing it finely. We have had a very heavy labor thrown upon us since we came up here. There is two pork packing establishments here which we have to guard. 

There has been great excitement in this part of the state owing to some Tory encampments, one in Cocke county about 12 miles from here, another in Hancock county. Gen. Carroll started from this point last night about 8 o'clock P.M. 1000 soldiers with one piece of artillery. TheTories are making a stand 12 miles from here in the river hills of Chucky river. They fired into a company of cavalry soldiers last sunday and killed the capt. and one of his men and wounded two others. Several other southern men have been shot since. We hear cannon firing in the direction of the Tory encampment and from what I can learn they will fare worse if anything than the followers of Cliff. If they find them they will make way with them. Capt. Gorman whom they killed is said to be an excellent man and every body is outraged at the deed. There are forces sent from Greeneville and from N.C. so as to surround them. It is thought that Brownlow is among them. We will hear soon what will be done with them. We were not honored with taking a part because we were poorly armed and not drilled. Many of my boys begged to get to go, but were not permitted as there was more than a sufficient number without us.

We are now drilling regularly. We have no drill master and therefore have to look to the books. I think most of my company will be very easy to teach the drill to. We are very pleasantly situated here and surrounded by very kind and loyal citizens. Jo Goodbar is here sick. His mother and sister, Tiny Goodbar, are here. Jo seems very loved. He is the leanest man I ever saw. I don't see how he can live. His mother is very low spirited. Jo is perfectly childish. He almost went into spasms when I went to see him. He spoke about you. Said he wished he could see you and get a bait of honey. You remember he was at our house when we sold bees. I am sorrow for them. Jo has been here sick 4 months. He was Major in Savages' regiment and was on his way to Va. and fell sick here. It is bad to be sick at home but to be from home is of course worse. I have been so busy I could not call and see them often.

With regard to my visiting you at Christmas I will say this - that unless something comes up more than I now know of I will. I had thought of going home at that time before you suggested it. I think I will be with you. I (will) write to you again before the time - - that you can send me a horse to Athens . I will close now. God bless you.

W.J. Hill


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

Archivists:
Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan