David N. Bottoms was a son of Thomas & Ursula Bottoms. They lived in Marion Co AL. This is a 'line by line' transcription of David's letter, and I have made no effort to 'correct' his spelling. I have been able to identify some of the people mentioned in this letter, but not all of them. Perhaps some of you can help??? Thanks, Pat - - - - - - - - - - - - - Head Quarters Cherockee Oct the __ 1862 Dear wife& children Mother & sistirs I agane take my pen in hand to write you a few lines to Let yew all kno my situation I am only tolerble well I have the werst cold I ever had I am s[c]out with 25 of my men about 5 mils below cherockee we was in 4 miles of the yankes yisterday bu[t] they are all gon from her to correnth Iam a ferd our battalion will be brook up Mager Warn Left us last Monday was a week ago to go to Pries to git guns for us he was to be back in 3 days & he hant got back yet it is thout that the yankes had got him we came her yesterday and have to stay on gard till to morrow moring we see a hard time her nothing to eat but beef and Cold brad and Lie on the cold grond and drink bad warter I have not seen Rile in 4 days but I look for him to morrow he is gon after deserter page 2 I can say to you that I got your Letters whitch give me grate satisfaction to her that yew was all well I dont no when I can come home but I think I will come in few day tell aunt Parlee and aunt Linday that unkle Jasper & unkle Isham is with me now & is well & tell unkle Bill that Dave is well he is with me now Thomas Meguire & T. L. Cantrel & Livett and sevrel of the boys that has bin with me in everry scout and stood up to me and swor that they will be dam if they dont I hope thees few lines may find yew all well I want to see yew all the worst I ever did tell unkle Seth & aunt darky that I wold Like to see them verry much so no more at present but remains yours until deth D. N. Bottoms reverse of page 2 the yankes burnt a woman and child down her a few day ago