Friend Draper:
By this days mail I send you for the Historical Society some six Vols. Military Books which I have succeeded in getting together for the Library. They are not half as valuable as I would be glad to send you, but doubtless will interest some persons who visit the rooms.
Tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock we are ordered to march to join General Thomas' army. Our route is through Franklin, Columbia, Tenn., Florence, Ala. to Eastport, Miss. -- as stated in the order.
We arrived here on the 5th inst. (?) from a long and fatiguing pursuit of the Rebel General Leyon's cavalry forces in Kentucky. It was the hardest bit of campaigning the Regiment has ever known. The results you will have learned long before this.
My health is excellent and I am getting toughened up so as to (?) the hardships of winter campaigning as well as the majority of our officers. It was very hard work at first and for a while I could only mount my horse by having an orderly lift my wounded leg over the croup of the horse; now I need no help in this direction but still find it difficult to walk over rough ground without a cane.
It is true I have surprised my friends and disappointed my family by returning to the field, but I have done only what seemed duty. I could not remain contentedly at home while this war is going on, and the Govt. needing men.
My old Grandfather Col. Edward Shipman who served throughout the whole period of the war of the Revolution seemed to feel a peculiar pride in the fact, and I also have a strong desire to be in at the death of the Rebellion to throw up my hat and give one tremendous hurrah! when peace is proclaimed over a united country. I have no love for the service -- shall be most glad to come back, to cultivate again the arts of peace, but while the war last I must stay. God help the darling ones at home, if any life is loss in the effort to protect the glorious old Flag under which we have grown up and prospered so long.
At Bowling Green I found the venerable Col. Medeau, of Florida War notoriety a refugee with his estimable daughter, Mrs. Covington, who were obliged to flee from a delightful and happy home near this city, some time since, to escape the murderous guerillas. The Col's. only son was captured and shot by them. It was a rare treat to listen to his recital of his own and the history of his contemporaries and the state to which is is so much attached, Tennessee.
How did the Annual meeting of the Hist. Society pass off, and what is the result? I trust you were re-elected unananimously, and Durrie also. How is your health and that of Mrs. D.? Shall be glad to get a long letter from you with a big bundle of small talk. Kindly to all the friends,
Truly your friend,
S. V. Shipman