Mrs. Lou J. Routt::

My dear wife, received your letter last night by George Martin. I knew well the unpleasant anxiety you experienced while the dreadful battle was progressing and afterwards till you heard your husband and brother were safe. Josh left the Battlefield Thursday morning. The heavy Infantry fighting on our wing (the left was done on wednesday. He told Josh what took place that day, but we could not tell what would occur afterwards. I wrote to you by Bud Smith from Manchester, and hope you have received my letter before now. I hope I shall be able to be at home some time this week. I spoke to Col. Fulton this morning to know how long it would probably be before I could start and he said that he thought by Tuesday, adding it might be sooner or later. I am coming to collect the absentees from our company. Keep this a secret for they might escape. We remained at Estil Springs only one day. We came from there here. I do not know how long we will remain here. I cannot learn anything reliable about the movement of the Yankees. I am satisfied they will not advance soon against us, for I bear evidence of the fact that they were dreadfully cut up. I had often heard that in Battle our troops killed two or three and sometimes five to one, but had always disbelieved it. I was over the Battle-field on the left wing and I declare there were ten Yankees killed to one of our men, and all the other boys say the same. Fully three-fourths of the dead Yankees were shot through the head. This circumstance arises from the fact that they all get behind trees or rocks, and in the act are often shot. They wound many of our men in the feet and legs. Hudson was wounded in the arm. I did see him afterwards. I was before him in a few miles from Fayetteville, therefore I guess he is at home. He acted finely in the battle. General escaped, but was brushed very closely got several holes shot through his coat. I was not touched. I am very anxious to see brother Dick. I hope to see him before he leaves. I spoke to captain Spencer about Jeff Smith. He died at Lauderdale Springs Mississippi, Sept. 8, 186 . He was discharged Sept. 16, at Glascow, Ky. eight days after his death, the fact of his death not being known. His discharge was sent back to Lauderdale Springs. Application will have to be made at that place for his discharge and the other papers and they will all have to be presented to the Quarter Master of this regiment in order to draw his pay which is $134.83. My dear, I depended much on the
intercesions I knew you w re makeing for me. The fact made me easy. I did not expect to be hurt. I felt that I was safe. You must continue to pray for me, my sweet wife, and for the cause and everyone in it. General and I have talked about our escaping, and both of us attribute it to prayers sent up for us by our dear friends at hone. Oh! If you could have seen men engaged in deadly conflict, and heard the sharp cracking of small arms, and the dreadful booming of cannon, and the loud bursting of shells, and the rattleing of the fragments as they went tearing and whizzing through the air and timber what a dreadful scene you would have witnessed. I will not continue the sketch. Oh! pray the whole world for peace. General is Luit. of the guard to-day and may not get to write. This will go by Dr. Jenkins. Kiss willie and Johnnie for me.

Your Affective Husband,

John M. Routt