>From the 1936 notes of Lucy Amanda Hill Jones b. Mar 25,1855, daughter of James Monroe Hill b. 1818 and Jane Hallowell Kerr b. 1824. One of Lucy's brothers was James Leonidas Hill b. Dec. 21, 1844, the firstborn son of James Monroe and Jane H. Kerr Hill. The following is a verbatim copy of a letter from James Leonidas Hill to his parents, Mr. & Mrs. James Monroe Hill, written while he was serving with the CSA in 1864. "Camp Near Buena Vista, Miss. July 22, 1864 Jas. M. & Jane H. Hill, My dear parents, By the blessings of Almighty God, I am permitted to write to you again. We have passed through scenes of danger, and where the missles of death flew thick, and where some of our best and bravest comrades have fallen victims to our foe. Poor Lee Farquar, who died without a moment's warning, and who had not time to give utterance to one word of farewell. I saw the poor fellow when he was shot; the ball struck just below the breast, lodging in, or near, the back bone. We were fighting on horseback, and in a large, open field through which the enemy were driving us. Lee and I, with several others, were back fighting the enemy while our forces were moving off, they being too strong for us. His horse ran with him about a hundred yards before he fell. He was picked up by George McCormick, Orderly Sergeant of our company, who was afterwards shot through the knee and fell back into the hands of the enemy, who took off his leg and left him. Poor fellow, I do feel so sorry for him. He was oone of my best friends, and a noble soldier, but he has done his last soldiering for his country, but I hope he will still make as good a soldier for his God, which I have no doubt but that he will. He cried like a child when he picked up poor Lee. It ought to be a great consolation to Lee's mother to know that he died the death of a brave soldier, and not leaving an enemy in the company. Dear parents, I will give you an outline of the battle. The Battle of Harrisburg was fought Thursday, 14th day of July. The enemy, with 25,000, were marching towards Okolona. On Saturday, 9th inst., we were camped at Verona - that night at 11 o'clock we started to Pontotoc, distant 25 miles. Sunday night we camped 3 miles north of Pon., and in three miles of their camp. Monday morning at sunrise they attacked our pickets and drove them in, killing one man in our Batt. Fighting continued all day, but light. Tuesday they remained in P., with but little fighting. The enemy, finding that we were prepared for them on the Okolona Road, and thinking it a hard road to travel, took the Tupelo Road on Wednesday. We followed close in their rear, thinking them in full retreat. Gen. Cl___ers (note: unable to make out name here) struck them in the flank, made them burn 8 wagons. They camped that night in Harrisburg 2 miles from Tupelo. They were throwing up breast-works all night. Thursday morning we made an attack with 4 brigades, McCullock's held in reserve, and was repulsed with heavy loss. On Friday morning, the enemy were supposed to be in retreat. Our Brig., mounted, and about 300 dismounted, and were ordered to make an attack on the enemy to ascertain if such was the case. We moved forward. A brisk fire was opened upon us. Our Batt. and the 2nd MO Regt. dismounted and charged across an open field, and on the same ground that our troops were driven from the day before. We kept our course, driving them before us until within 200 yards of their intrenchment, when a murderous fire of grape and canister from 10 guns were opened upon us, and we were ordered to halt, which we did, and remained there half an hour under fire, though not much exposed, and then orderd to fall back. Then came the trying time, a hot July sun pouring its heat upon us; hot, tired and nearly dead for the want of water. Hundreds were sunstroke and had to be carried from the field. We fell back slowly, although they were crowding us, until we reached our horses, which we mounted and awaited their advance. We had not long to wait. They were soon pouring a heavy fire upon us, and we on them. Bill Andrews was at my side. His horse was shot in the head and fell as if dead, but soon got up and he rode him off. Jimmie Fisher's horse was struck three times, but none fatal. McKee's was also wounded. We were ordered to fall back and a few were to cover the move. It was here that poor Lee was shot, but the enemy soon after were in retreat again. We followed closely until we had gone 4 miles north of Tupelo, when they turned on us, and after a very hard fight, drove us from the field. It was here that poor George McCormick was shot, not one us seeing him, was left on the field. I think it was best for h im, as he was shot so badly that it would have been worse for him, and perhaps more killed in taking him off. The enemy made no other stand, but kept in full retreat. The enemy's force was 25,000 and ours 10,000. Our loss, killed, wounded and missing 1,500, that of the enemy 1,000, but they did not effect their purpose. Dear parents, I can plainly see that God was my helper. I was even surprised that I could stand it so well, when so many stronger men gave out. I can never be humble enough to my Creator for his kindness to me. There is a great deal of stir up in camp at the present time. An order has been issued to consolidate our Batt. with the 2nd Mo. Regt., but a protest has been sent to Gen. Forest against it. The boys say they will go across the River before they will be consolidated. All of our boys are well. Give my love to all the relations. Kiss my sweet little sisters for me. Tell bro. John to write to me, also cousin Hettie. I will write again in a few days. Goodbye. Your affectionate son, Lonnie -------------------------------------------------------------------- (note: James Leonidas Hill was called "Lonnie". He survived the war and married Miss Annie Fordtran. He still died young, however, on May 23, 1873) I would like to know which unit in which he served. There are many clues in his letter which mentions dates, battles, places and the names of Generals. I haven't yet begun to research this. I welcome any help by other interested researchers. His father, James Monroe Hill, b. Mar 13, 1818 GA served as a Pvt. in the Confederate Army, joining at Brenham, Washington Co. TX on November 8, 1861, Company G, 10th Texas Infantry. This unit was organized Oct. 25, 1861 by James S. Lauderdale. James Monroe Hill was captured "near Atlanta, GA" on July 22, 1864. He was later released and rejoined his family and ran a mercantile business in Austin, where he died Feb. 14, 1904. My next post will be the transcribed letter from Jane Hallowell Kerr Hill, the mother of James Leonidas "Lonnie" Hill, dated Aug. 27, 1864, to her son in response to the above letter. Jackie Hill Bower http://www.geocities.com/abackwardglance ______________________________________________________________ Get Your Free E-mail at http://www.prontomail.com