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Cumberland Gap June 25th 1863
My Dear father & Mother
I seat myself today
to Answer your very kind letter of date 15 th which
came to hand last night. I was exceeamgly glad
to hear from you, as a kind letter from Any friend
in this dreary region is regarded as a treat but to rec
ieve a letter from the old homestead from the
kind parents of my childhood. & my more
more advanced age, is a treat worthy of lasting
memory. I was much pleased to hear that you
were Still in the Land of the Living. though
truly sorry to hear that you were Suffering
with Rheumatism. for I am well prepared to
Sympathize with any one in such a condition
these mortal limbs of mine are continual
sufferers from its dreadful effects. I am truly
sorry for the declining Sight of your eye, but
hope it will soon be Restored. Father, you labor
too hard, do take more rest, as it is Indespensable
to your well being in your declining days.
The Boys have all pretty well recovered from their
shock. Except John Cooper. who was sent to the
Hospital at Knoxville. I dont know how he is

but hope he is improoving. Thom is in a very delic
ate situation. he has had a very heavy seat of
cold on his lungs for more than a month, but
is still able to go about. The Col ordered him not
to go on duty another time. and said that If he
had have known his situation he would have
had him discharged long ago. The Col told me
this morning to have the Dr to Examine him to
day or tomorrow which I will do If it does
not rain too hard. Thom is a bout one half
mile from here. I have not seen him for
two days. Thom would I have had his certificate
of Discharge from the Dr before this had not Dr
Rogers took down sick. he Examined him once
and said he would Examine him the next day
but was not able. Our surgeon is now in and I
will have him Examined to day or tomorrow
and will use my influence to get him off. I know
of no news reliable. The Yanks made a raid into
East Tenn last week, and burned the Depot at
Lenoirs Station below Knoxville and burned the
Bridges at, Strawberry Plains, Mopey creek & flat
Creek. The Extent of the damage I dont know. they
made their Escape. what damage we done them I dont
know. I could give you the rumors but they may
not be correct. Therefore I withold them. I would