Pawnee, Dec. 29th, 1864.
Dear Wife:
I am going to Fort Scott tomorrow to draw rations and can take this letter down. My health the last few days is none the best. I am quite thin and weigh less than usual -- only 170 lbs now. I have quite a sore hand, caused by a very small piece of skin being knocked off and every little hurt seems XXX to make a bad sore....
There is a report in camp that our Co is going to Little Rock, Ark next month. Whether there is any truth in the report I do now know, but I had much rather stay here till spring. The weather has been quite warm for a few days, but is now turning cold. The weather here is more changeable than in Wis.
We have the most cheering news here from Gen. Sherman's army. Telegrams report the capture of Savannah, Ga., with 32,000 bales of cotton, the destruction of some 300 rail Road cars, the capture of 150 cannon, 800 Regular Rebel troops, 20,000 citizen, or militia troops. Further, General Thomas has whipt the Rebel Gen. Hood, capturing 61 cannon, a large amount of prisoners, small arms, army stores &c. Also that the army under Hood are greatly demoralized -- it is said as badly as Price's were in this country. If so, I think they will be poor fighters ever after. Old Price's men were so badly scared that they threw away, on their run-retreat (or scedaddle, whatever you may call it), over 2,000 stand of small arms in going 20 miles. Some think that every victory we gain peace will be made soon. Time alone will determine all. Savannah is only 30 or 40 miles from Charleston, S. C. I suppose Sherman will make an immediate attack upon that second Sodom. If he is successful in its capture, I do hope there may not be one stone left upon another that shall not be thrown down. There secession began, and there God grant it may end by Charleston receiving the fate of its sister cities, Sodom and Gommorah.
It is growing cold very fast and I shall have to close. Tell me all the news. Write often. Accept of my best love. Give my love to the children. I think we will get pay soon. I hope you have heard from the boys. I should like to hear from them at this time, I tell you; but I think they cannot send letters.
Kiss my little girl for me and remember me as ever your affectionate Husband
Chas. N. Mumford