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 US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== From W. J. Crook =========================================================================== Head Qurts 1*2*th & 13th Tenn Rgt Near Nashville Tenn Dec 15th 1864 Dear Hattie, As a mere opportunity presents It Self I will avail Myself of it to write you though I have but little idea the letter will reach its destination I wrote you Several times from Tuscumbia and Florence Ala Since leaving there I have not had an opportunity of forwarding a Single letter-- We are now encamped on Rains Hill just three miles from Nashville we have a full view of the city with its defensive works it is very Strongly fortified - Our Campaign is i*** Tenn thus far has been very Successful - We had no fighting of consequence until we got to Franklin 15 miles South of this place - One of the Severest conflicts of the war was fought there I was not in the engagement - I was left quite Sick at Columbia was Sick for Several days It Seems almost Providential I was absent Nearly all the field officers of the Div were Killed page 2 or wounded Every Genl Officer in the Div was killed or wounded. My Regt Suffered Severly - Lost eleven Officers dead on the field - My Col was wounded. Elliott came off unharmed. My health is not entirely restored but I am with the command I have but little idea what turns officers will take in the future I am anxious for Winter Quarters The weather is now vy cold The ground covered with Snow - We find **rdan pretty hard to travel But we will Still be Cheeful and hopeful for the future. We must Still Look to Heaven for protecting one amid evy danger and temptation He will not disregard our prayers I wrote you from Florence requesting that each morning at the hour of Sun rise we would both offer up our prayers in each others behalf asking God to bless and protect us, to preserve our lives - that we may meet again - and consumate our engagement and lead a life of happiness with each other and of benefit to Society - and in the Service of our page 3 Creator - It will be pleasant for me to know while I am engaged in petitioning Heaven in your behalf that at the Self Same hour you will be remembering me. On beholding the Dawn of the morning my first duty is to invoke Heavens blessings upon you. I have not heard a word from you Since first of Nov - The letter you wrote from Sissies Home - am vy anxious to hear - will be uneasy until I do All well at home when I lest heard Though I have had no letter for Several days - I would write you a long letter if I had an assurance it would be received But it is so doubtful and so vy cold I will defer a longer letter for a Surer opportunity - Write to me often am always glad to receive your letters - Remember me vy Kindly to your Ma Sister and Jesse and for myself Wishes and pryers for your Safety and happiness - Truly and Affectionately W. J. Crook =========================================================================== NOTES: W. J. (William Jere) Crook was born to Jeremiah and Mary (Arnold) Crook on October 20, 1836 and can be found on the 1860 Federal Census of Henderson county, Tenn. He enlisted in Company I of the 13th Tennessee Infantry (CSA) as a Corporal on May 30, 1861 and was promoted to Captain on August 14 of the same year. Crook was seriously wounded and captured in Murfreesboro on December 31, 1862 and was exchanged in early 1863. He returned to his regiment and was promoted to Major on November 18, 1863. Crook was captured again near Athens, Georgia on May 8, 1865 and apparently released at the end of the war. He returned to Tennessee, where he married his cousin, Hattie Crook. William J. Crook died on January 10, 1881. Two more letters written by W. J. Crook can be found in the Special Collections Library at the Univeristy of Tennessee, Knoxville. These letters are dated November 12, 1862 and May 4, 1864.