The following letter was written by Robert G. Tucker (b. 1834) of Co. G, 13th Tennessee Infantry. Tucker enlisted in the spring of 1862 at Columbus, Kentucky. He was wounded twice during the war—at Shiloh and again at LaGrange, Tennessee. In December 1863, he was identified as a “teamster” with his regiment. He was wounded (gunshot to the chest and scapula) and taken prisoner during the Battle of Franklin in Tennessee on 17 December 1864 and sent to Camp Chase in Ohio. He was later transferred to Point Lookout from which place he was paroled.

After the Battle of Missionary Ridge in late November 1863, the 13th Tennessee retreated to Dalton, Georgia, where on February 20, 1864, the brigade was placed in Cheatham’s Division where it remained until the end of the war. The 13th/154th remained at Dalton until the resumption of fighting in May, 1864, except for one brief expedition in February to Demopolis, Alabama, and return, when they had started out to reinforce General Leonidas Polk in Mississippi, but were recalled on reaching Demopolis. From here on the regiment participated in the retreat to Atlanta, the return to Tennessee, and the final journey to join General Joseph E. Johnston at Bentonville, North Carolina. 

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp near Dalton
March 8th 1864

My dearly beloved sister,

I was once more made glad by the receipt of a long letter from you. It did my very heart good to hear from you and to know you all were getting along so well. The Captain says all have plenty to eat and wear. Oh how thankful we should be that it is as well with us as it is. I am so glad to know that all of you are in such good spirits and that Mama and Papa are so cheerful. I was afraid they would become disheartened.

I received the picture you sent but it is very badly taken, I think, though it looks very natural. I also saw one of Miss Lute that Captain Dick had, and actually I could not tell who it was. If that is a good picture of her, she has changed very much since I saw her.

I wish I could have been at the shin dig with you given to Sweetie. I suppose you had a nice time.

I suppose you have heard that our Division has been to Demopolis and back again. I did not go myself but from what I can learn, our Division will long be remembered as they were nearly all tight [drunk] at every town. They liked Gen. Polk very much and wanted to stay but Gen. Johnston thought he needed them up here so he ordered them back immediately. But the Yankees thought it a bad job and retreated back to their entrenchments after skirmishing a while with our pickets. There was no damage very serious on either side.

There has been an order issued to send one officer from each regiment commanded by a field officer to Mississippi & Western Tennessee to gather up all men that have ever belonged to this army. Lieut. [H. C.] Moorman has been detailed from this regiment.

Brother William came back from Grenada but left again in a few days for Gen. Polk’s Headquarters and I suppose he is now on duty there. I have not heard from Bro. Wesley for a long while. I wish he could be exchanged but I fear it will be a long while before he is exchanged. I have written to Lieutenant Ramseur for Lewis and if I can get him, I will keep him until Wes is exchanged. I have some money now that belongs to him that one of his mess gave me soon after they came to this department. I have a very nice laurel pipe for Papa which I will send to him the first opportunity that U shall have. I sent one to Mr. Thomas by Billy Boyd but I learn he did not get home so I do not know whether he will get it or not.

You did not say whether you got the ring and charm I sent you by brother William.

All the boys are in good health and fine spirits. Gen. [Alfred J.] Vaughan & Dick Harwell are both off on furlough. Give my love to Mama and Papa and Grandma. Also to Mrs. Mayfield & family, Miss Lute & Sallie, Mollie & Anna, and everybody. I remain as ever your devoted brother, — R. G. Tucker