Comberland Gap, Ky.
October 28, 1861


Dear brother, bride, family connections & frinds, generally:

I gladly can inform you this Sabbath morning that I and Bob are
well and enjoying first rate health and all the rest of the boys are also,
that is, the ones with me, with the exception of J. N. Watson and Wm.
Walker.  They are somewhat puny but not bad off.

We reached this point night before last. We are about one mile
north of the Cumberland Gap, over in the Kentucky side. We have crossed the
mountain and had started to the Cumberland Ford but they have stoped us
here and I don't expect we will go any farther, but I don't know.

We hear from the Ford every day two or three times. It is genrally
supposed that General Zallicaffer will come back here to the Gap to station
tho' he is going to give the Yankees a fight at the Ford now in a few days,
I thnk and if he gets defeated thee he will retreat back here to the Gap
where we are.  It is but 14 miles.  There are but 1500 of us here at the
Gap. We are getting the place very well fortified now. They are working
here day and night throwing up brest works and fixing their Batteries. The
situation that we have here one thousand men can whip twenty thousand for
it is impossible for them to get to us, for we can commence firingf on them
by the time they get in 3 miles of us and for one mile up the mountain
there is but one way just big enough for a wagon to go and fi the Yankees
come that near to us we have full view to them. We can kill them faster
than they can fall. I don't apprehend that we are in any danger here at
this place tho' there is some prospect of fighting here in Kentucky.

I have not heard from the balance of our company since we left
Knoxville tho' we will hear in a day or two. We left our Captain down there
to draw our money for us and he has not come up yet. Humphries and myself
taking charge of the Company and brought them on. Nearly all of the
Captains are behind yet. They will be here today or tomorrow.

I wrote you a letter since we left camp at Knoxville that I suppose
you get, in which I stated who all of the boys were along. I received your
letter bore date of Oct. 17th, stating that you all were well that were
well when I left home and those that were sick were getting better. I was
very uneasy about you and John until I received that letter but that gave
me a great deal of satisfaction.

I am very well satisfied here. The only thing that will render me
any uneasiness is tht I am afraid you all at home will not keep well.

Tell Mr. Harris to write to me and all of the rest. When you write
direct your letters to the Cumberland Gap, Kentucky, 16th Ala. Regiment in
the place of the 15th. They have changed our Regiment to the 16th.

You wrote to me that you had my corn all gathered. I was glad to
hear that.

Hugh, I want you to send me my little Sunday hat.

I will write again soon. I will try to send Bob home some time
between the 15th and last of November.

Bob sends his respects to you all. I will close so farewell for
this time.

A. M. Aston