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Sabbath morning 10 1/2 oclock Jany 18th 1863 In camp near Murfreesboro on Jno. Bell's plantation Dear Father

    Your kind letter of Dec 26th was received last night accompanied by a joint letter from Mother and Isaac, making the first mail matter which I have received for more than three weeks, owing in a measure I suppose to our communication between here, and Louisville being for a time cut off.  (I also received 4 newspapers, viz 2 Journals, 1 Banner, and 1 Scottish Journal which are very acceptable.   I have not written to you Father more frequently, knowing that your mind would be much occupied by businefs attending your brother's deaths to molest you with what I might write concerning war and army matters, I hope you and mother have received before now, my letters in regard to our late battle before Murfreesboro.   I intend sending you 2 printed, reports one Gen'l Mortin's, and the other Capt Bridges both of the Pioneer Corp to Gen'l Rosecranz which I have read and which give "Stokes Chicago Bd of Trade Battery" great credit and certainly not more than they deserve, But Gen'l Rosecranz was right in the battery once or twice every day, and gave us orders directly from his own mouth, and accordingly cannot forget us.
    Since the battle quite a number of our men have been unwell, I was not fit for duty for 3 days but I am again as sound as a brick, and while writing I am in Jno. Bell's old house waiting upon two or three of our boys, who are rather under the weather.
     Since coming to Murfreesboro 2 of our men have been discharged for standing disability, and sent home.   Jacob Grosch, (blacksmith) and 

F. J. Favor, (the old horsedoctor) 2 others H.W. Hildreth, and Chas. W. Johnson went out looking for horses and returned in a day or two with written paroles, which the Capt not considering genuine ordered them not to notice, but go about their duties as usual. Next day they ran away from camp, and are now considered as deserters. So you see the battery is fast loosing in numbers. Moody from Chicago was in our camp last Sabbath, but he never brings any encouraging news, He would have had entirely discouraged the battery after our well-fought fight, but we knew he was a blowhard and paid no attention to him. The Capt said he ought to be kicked out of camp, but we let him go in peace.