Southern Man Writes of his Woes and War News. "100 of Morgan's men were drowned in the attempt to recross the Ohio” 2pp, 4to front and back .With transmittal envelope.

River Farm (near Chattanooga, Tenn)

25th July 1863

Dear Uncle

Your favor of 23rd Inst. just rec. When anything of interest occurs I will advise you if in the melew I do not forget it.

Our country is totally eaten out. I have been compelled, in order to save a competency for our families, to get safeguard from Gen. Bragg to protect what remains of my crop, sister, & John King's. I wrote you before that I had one of the Judges of Hardee's (Brow Hills) Corps, with his wife at my house as a protection to my wife and property there. The only protection he gives me is his presence there which protects the females from any insolence should any be attempted on the part of the soldiers --- but it is no protection at all to my property. My wife writes me to note this morning that they cut through the hedge last night & stole one of her begonias and that my garden & orchard (MW Rudh) was full of horses and mules. I have ordered her to turn the milk cows on the crop of corn down there. It seems that they intend to destroy everything down there and I will get what good I can. I am just done my oats and have about 40,000 bundles now shucked. Commenced my meadow yesterday. Monday I will put a lot of the boys to putting up log houses and move the balance of my family as rapidly as possible from among a den of thieves. I am somewhat out of the way up here and hope I may not be troubled with them.

There is great dissatisfaction in the army. They are drawing only 1/4 rations and complain very much. I hope now soon they may be removed from here, but I fear they will remain here as long as the war lasts, the river giving them good protection in their front.

The bombardment at Fort Wagner at Morris Island has been very severe. I presume you have read an account of it. Nothing new from there for a day or two. It was reported that Grant's army has fallen back west of Pearl River. It is supposed Mobile will be the next point attacked by the combined armies of Grant and Banks and great fears are entertained for it. It is thought Rosecrans will move from Huntsville towards Selma. If so Montgomery is in danger and Rosecrans, if successful, can fall into the rear of Mobile. Johnson will go either to the assistance of Mobile or withdraw his garrison from the city. The telegraph of this morning tells us that 100 of Morgan's men were drowned in the attempt to recross the Ohio & that the whole of his command was captured except himself and about 1000 men who had scattered to the mountains. He is in a critical condition. I can't see how he is to get out.

I presume if the Yanks cross the river and advance on East, Tenn., Harris will next be heard from at Murphy, N.C. with his headquarters there. When Davis gets his quota of corn to 45 and Harris his to 55 we will then (speaking after the manner of our papers) "have more able bodied men left in the country than there was before the war commenced."

All well Ma joins me in love to all. Would be glad to hear from you at any time.

Truly yours, your nephew,

T.C. (Thomas Crutchfield)