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Gossip About the Old Sixty-Fifth by R. O. Lucas, Hospital Steward SUMMARY R.O. Lucas, Hospital Steward of Dr. John C. Gill's former regiment, writes to Gill to see how he is doing and to update him on the welfare and whereabouts of their comrades-in-arms. The soldiers and the medical personnel who followed them seemed to move around quite a lot in the South/Southwestern Civil War arena. Lucas writes of transport by ship from Mooresville, Alabama to Bridgeport, Alabama to Louisville, Kentucky and, then, back to Tennessee. According to Lucas, many of the doctors/surgeons had resigned and were replaced by new officers - one of whom Lucas frankly characterizes as "a consummate jackass." This is a nice, friendly letter between friends. TRANSCRIPTION Murfreesboro, Tenn. Dear Sir: As it has been a long time since you left us- at Decatur, Ala. And desiring to hear from you, as the only information I have had concerning you was obtained from Major Osborn formerly of Capt. Bartlett's Battery, I have determined to write you a few lines to let you know I am still with the old sixty-fifth, as well as to inform you that I am enjoying good health, and am quite fleshy, weigh 160. We remained at Mooresville a few days after you left us and then went to Bridgeport, Ala. by sail, where we remained till the 21st Aug. at which time we pulled up stakes and started for Louisville, KY. During our stay at Bridgeport, Dr. Kyle resigned and went home, as did Col. French. After a long and tiresome march we arrived in Louisville on the 27th of Sept., and remained there 4 days, when we again took the road, and were spectators of the Perryville fight, the Standford and Harrodsburg affairs belong to the 20th brigade exclusively; after various wanderings we took a prominent part in the battle of Murfreesboro, with what result I suppose you know. Our regt. now numbers 360 men present all told, among whom are Capt. Whitbeck, now Lt. Col., Capt. Brown, now Major, Capt. Smith, Voorhes and Bolly, and Lieuts. Williams, Tanneyhill and Randall now Capts; P.P. McKewn, Jim's brother, has been commissioned second St. (sergeant?) You will see by the above account that the great Majority of the old officers have resigned. Our surgeon is John M. Todd of Salem, O., a very fine man in all respects, with two assistants, Wm. A. McCulley of Hamilton Co., a consummate jackass, and W.S. Patterson of Hillsboro, O., a very fine man. Pope has got to be sargeant major; Theodore has been discharged; George is doing duty in his company; C. Jordan is driving a mule team; Old Crofs has been discharged; Deacon Mills is clerking for Dr. Phelps at Crittenden's headquarters at $13 a month. Bye-the-bye, has Jim sent you the boots he promised. Dr. Weist is in charge of Hospt. No. 12 Nashville, Tenn. Hoping to hear from you soon,
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