Letter from Linus Patrick to John B. Patrick

Tyners Station Tenn
Feb 9 1864
On Knoxville and Chattanooga RR

Dear Father

Your favor of Jan 30th rec'd to night and I take first opportunity of sending answer - you have certainly 'ere this rec'd a letter from me written from Rossville Geo about the 25 of Jan in which I gave an explanation of why I had not written to you and I would here state that the letter I am now answering is the first letter I have rec'd from you since leaving Columbus Ohio.

I am in the enjoyment of tolerable good health and hope this may find the family well - We came from Rossville to this place last Sunday, but how long we shall remain here I do not know but I think our Brigade will be attached from the Division for the purpose of guarding the Rail Road from Chattanooga toward Knoxville and in fact I might say the whole Division will do similar duty as there are no two Brigades of it in the same place - one Brigade being at Rossville one at Chickamauga Station on the Chattanooga and Atlanta RR and ours at this place - the cars are running up this road as far as Cleveland and I think communication, by Rail, will be open from Chattanooga to Knoxville in a short time - the health of the Army is very good and their spirits are buoyant since the issuing of whole rations commenced which was about the 20 Jan, but the northern people will never know the suffering of the Army of the Cumberland for four months subsequent to the battle Of Chickamauga, yet not withstanding all that, thousands of them have re-enlisted as veterans and some of them immediately after performing that long and arduous march of nearly a month, from Chattanooga to Knoxville and return, where they had to depend entirely upon the barren and fruitless Country through which they passed for their subsistence but I suppose the people at home would say that it was all for Glory and the more they suffered the more of that desirable object they obtained.

As to the movements of the Rebels in this Department you are probably better posted that I am, but my opinion is that there will be some stirring times here before the first of June, but that this Army will do the work allotted to it, I am confidant I passed over the Mission Ridge twice and viewed the Rebel works that our troops so gallantly stormed and carried on the 24 November, though little has been said about that battle in comparison to others, still I think it one of the greatest victories achieved by the Union Army during the war, and all must certainly come to the same conclusion after having viewed the ground - But our Army did not have to sustain one disadvantage which it generally does in all our hard-fought battles, and this is of coming upon the Enemy after a long, hard march with drooping spirits and tired limbs and then having to fight the battle at a disadvantage in position as well as everything else, but in this case the Army moved out of its quarters as if going on parade - the spirits of the men buoyant - Solid Columns well formed every man knew his place and felt - confident of victory for he could feel the touch of his comrades to the right and to the left and knew he had support, would that all our battles could be fought under like circumstances.

I am very well satisfied as to the disposal you made of my money and any money that I may at any time send home you can lend to the same person, if convenient - I shall remember some of those friends you spoke of, especially those who refused to let Leon Manning have $25 to my credit last fall, I suppose you have notes for all the money you have lent of mine, you can have them drawn either in my name as you can payable to bearer

I am acting as adjutant of the Regiment at present, but suppose I will be relieved and sent back to my Co in a few days as the Adjutant is expected to return in that time.

I believe I have nothing more to say at present, but will close hoping to hear from you again soon

As Ever
Your Son
Linus

121st Ohio Vols 2nd Brigade
2nd Division 14 Army Corps
Via Chattanooga Tenn