Camp Key Feb. 2, 1862

Beloved wife

This is sunday evening and I will take a portion to write to you as it is raining and I am confined to my tent and nothing especially to engage my attention. I have nothing especially that I want to write to you but it will perhaps be some satisfaction to you if I only were to write that Jo. and I are well. This is the best news I have to write to you. I will send also some stamps and then you can write to me often. I am glad to learn that you will have more time since (you) can use a sewing machine. 

I have also to inform you that I bought you a rocking chair that will be shiped to Bell's landing the first time a boat comes up to Knoxville. I thought you could get it hauled over from there as goods are shiped there entirely at this season of the year. I expect it will be difficult to get it but if it never arrives it will only be $10.00 lost. It is a new chair walnut low. I thought it would suit you. It is what he said was called a serving chair. I wish you had it now. I don't know whether I ought to have bought it as the arrangement is for us to move somewhere when the war is over. But this is your Christmas present that I promised, and I know it is uncertain what we may do. It is worth what it cost any how. If it gets home uninjured it will give you some comfort and that will soon be worth ten dollars to me. It may be some time before a boat comes. I will let you know.

I had the satisfaction of seeing Gen. Beauregard to day at 1 o'clock. He is en route to Columbus to take command of the army on the Mississippi. There was a vast assemblage of people at the depot to witness his arrival. I wish you could have seen the excited multitudes. I think not a few crinolines suffered in the pressure to see him. It was some time before he could get off the cars. Finally he was conducted by Hon. L.C. Haynes to a platform where all could see him. After the crowd became quiet, Haynes introduced him by a few very stirring remarks. Gen. B. replied, modestly, that he felt grateful for the unexpected compliment paid him by the demonstration for him - - that he was sensible of the fact that it was not so much on account of his personal merit as the cause he represented that called forth its expression. That as Col. Haynes had said he had the honor of firing the first gun in this revolution - - he gave himself to the cause - - he hoped to fire the last gun in the revolution. Gen. B. is a small man. Reminds me of John Eich-bowen. Just such temperament - - a little larger - - hair now gray - - has more hair than Bro. E. and has been darker. Gen. B. seemed rather pleasingly affected by the unexpected demonstration. He was lighted up with a smile but when he had spoken a few words he became serious and looked stern and unaffected. He alluded to the fact of having left his home for a few days but had not returned yet, now more than 12 months and did not expect to look homeward till he was done with these Yankees (pointing north). I hope he may meet with as good success as he has in Virginia. 

But I have written enough. Let me hear from you when convenient. Love to all and kisses to the children. 

Yours ever


W.J. Hill


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

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