Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2011, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ====================================================================== From David Hopkins to: M.W. Hopkins St. Louis, MO Box 2583 ====================================================================== Bowling Green Ky Nov. 12th 1864 Dear Brothers I have been postponing writing to you for several days ho- ping that I would feel in better humor, & now that the election is past and honest Old Abe is elected, for another term, I think I ought be contented & happy, but I cant say that I am altogether, for I dont like to lay around & do nothing, litteraly nothing, I am comfortably situated enough, have a good room to sit in table & chairs, a good coal fire & nothing to hinder me from enjoying myself, only the want of a contented mind. But that I havent got. I want to be a going somewhere. I hate to sit still. I try to study, but tactics, & army regula- tions, are mighty dry studies and [page 2] its no use talking, I dont know as much about them as I did three months ago, and unless I can get to drilling again I shall forget all I ever did know about infantry tactics. Whilst I was at Owensboro, I got along first rate. I used to drill four hours every day but now I have nothing to do, & the time hangs heavily on my hands If there was any society here except half sc****, I could get along better, but I dont like to talk with with folks that I know would insult me if it wont for the pistol I carry at all times in my belt. The head Quarters of the com**** is at Smithland, Ky, but myself & three other officers of the Regt. are left here to pick up any darky that may hapen to stray into the place, and we stand a better chance of being struck by lightening, than [page 3] than we do for getting a recruit, for the 12th U.S.C.H. arty is here in com- mand of the fortifications, & they keep all the approaches to the town picketed so that it is impossible for any to get through to us, until this Regt. is full which will probably be sometime yet. If Genl. Burbridge would give us an escort, we would go out into the country & help ourselves, but without an escort, it is not safe to go two miles from the town, and here we are cooped up as closely as if the place was beseiged. I am going to try & get leave of absence & a pass to go to Nashville & see Alfred, but dont know as I can effect it, for the Col. commdg. here is not very friendly to my stripe & wont be likely to step aside much to accomodate me. The election passed off very quietly indeed, not single case of drunkery or a quarrel during the entire day. [page 4] The vote was very small, the soldiers not half of them voting Mac. was a long ways ahead, but it was no use, he had to go up Salt River any how. I wonder if he wouldnt like to charter the Galena, but I dont reckon U.Sam could spare his pint now. I am sorry for him, but cant shed a single tear. I recd a letter from Charley a week or more since, whilst he was in Colwater - he speaks of a visit he expected to enjoy from a*** Dinies & promised me lots of news from groton in his next - I wish I could have been there wont so very scarce I dont ____ but I should have gone on french leave, for I might go & be gone a month & there would never be an inquiry made for me. Speaking of money, I am very well supplied at present, and am in hopes to be able to get along for the future __ $18.00 per mo. if they dont consider me worth any more, but it requires prety good man- ageing to board & clothe oneself these times for that money. I think I shall have to get a suit of butternutt & make a raid on my own hook - if I only knew some Coperhead who had lots of greenbacks - it might pay. It is time to go to bed but I have not far to go. Sleep in the office, my ch*** has been snoring this half hour So good night. Write often. I read the papers. Many thanks. - Your affectionate Brother David W.W. & C.M. Hopkins