Will Fisher to his mother
Elk River
January 22, 1864

Dear Mother,

Nothing to do is again the complaint tonight so I will improve the time at this old pastime. I have received no letter from you since my last but expect one every day and hope it will contain when it does come the same late I have been permitted to read so many times that all are well. I have not heard from John yet.
I forgot to tell you in my last to send me some envelopes by mail if no other way is convenient. The postage law allows anything under four ounces to go for two cents in one wrapper.
There was a man named Orcutt died today out of the Salem Co. It was the first death by disease here in the regt. in a long while. I don’t think there is a regt. in service any more healthy than this.
Since my last, there was a man shot belonging to Co. A while out on a scout. The ball passed through his heart, killing him instantly. His hame was Nathan L. Lamsshier of Greenwich. His brother is the miller at Slab City. I have never seen a death make so much of an effect as this did. In fact it affected me more than it did to see the dead in heaps on the battle field at Chancellorsville. I don’t know what was the reason, but it was so sudden, I suppose. I fear the man would not receive much mercy from the hands of this regt. if he had been caught. His remains would now be dangling from the trees in the rear of our camp or laying unburied, fit food for the hungry vultures and turkey buzzards. But I suppose he is well aware of his danger & will keep well hid.
This is the best portion of Tennessee I have yet seen for farming, but the land has been neglected, altogether, since the war broke out, and now is all grown up to weeds and wild grass. It is called very healthy and the wood is convenient and the water excellent. I hope we will get a chance to stay here next summer and I don’t see why we shan’t because the railroad has to be guarded in summer as well as winter and then our corps is so small now it is just right for that.
You would be surprised to know that there isn’t hardly four thousand in the invincible 12th Corps but such is the case. A good many have re-enlisted and a good many of the Second Div., poor fellows, now lie in the Wauhatchie Valley silent in death.
I hear that Gen. Geary of the 2nd Div. is to have command of the Veteran Corps, when they organize in the spring. If he does, I pity the Rebels in that part where he operates. I think they will not hold out much longer. It is true I have always said so, but they certainly cannot endure such stunning blows as Gen. Grant generally inflicts. He will study up something this winter that will make them dust when he commences in the spring.
The weather is beautiful lately. Just like April at home, freezes a little nights and thaws day times. I have seen ice two inches thick at times this winter but not very often.
If I live, I am on picket tomorrow.
Is Jim Stevenson waiting on Min with any object in view? I heard he is there some. Tell me of it next time. I don’t see no paper yet.
How does Aunt S. do? Is that old disease not going to relax its hold finally? L. and I send love to her of course.
L. is rather pale just as he used to be going to school. When we are out exposed, he is tough as a bear but he has been studying and some what confined and it don’t agree with him.
Tell Mr. Culver he couldn’t made me a better pair of boots and to keep the measure for future use.
But I must close. Give my love to all and believe me your own boy.

Will

I burned this drying it, I have no blotting paper.