CSA Private N.E. Hughes, 4th Tennessee Infantry

CSA Private N.E. Hughes, 4th Tennessee Infantry, Poignant Letter to Sister Detailing the Death of her Husband at Battle of Franklin

ALS, 2pp, from "Near Nashville," December 4, 1864. A heartfelt and riveting letter from CSA private N.E. Hughes of Company B of the 4th Tennessee Infantry to his sister. The correspondence was penned in the aftermath of the bloody Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864 and during the advance on Nashville. During the battle, the Army of Tennessee drove the Union forces from Franklin but at great cost. In General Hood’s attack, 7,000 men were lost including six generals. Hughes notes in particular that Major General Patrick Cleburne (1828-1864) and brigadier general Otho F. Strahl (1831-1864) perished.

Hughes writes poignantly to his sister to inform her that her husband died in the charge but also of his fear that his own end might be nigh, “While the looming of the cannon and the cloud of musketry is still going on as it has been for many days I endeavor to write to you to record the death of your brave noble and beloved husband he fell in the charge on Columbia. God bless him he has gone to a better world than this where there is no war or trouble. Sister I know it is hard but bare it with Christian fortitude. God will bless him and we will meet him in heaven. I am still alive but in and hours time I may be with him.”

He closes the letter with a sense of urgency as he is being called to action, “The forward is sounded we are going to the front. I must close. Bro. John was buried at Genl Pillows five miles from Columbia. The column is moving I must go.”
Condition Report: Paper is toned, with some darkening, some tears and small losses in creases. Please note, spelling in transcription has been edited.