1864 CIVIL WAR Soldier Letter - KNOXVILLE TN - Good Content - NEGRO REGIMENT

Description

Civil War soldier's letter, 4 pgs., approx. 7-3/4" x 9-3/4", dated at
Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 13, 1864
, from a Union Officer to his "dear Hattie".
This is a
partial letter
, being the first 4 pgs. of a longer letter, and I can't identify the writer. Despite this being a partial letter, there is great content in these 4 pgs, writing of various Colonels and Majors, of having just arrived from Nashville after being on leave, of the rail road being torn up so that he can't get to the front, and that he spoke with Maj. Gen. Schofield, who is in the same predicament. He also writes of a Lt. who got a Commission as Major in a Negro Regiment.
Includes:
"My Dear Hattie,
Seated in Col. Hale's room, I again devote a short time to the pleasant task of writing to you.
Arrived here last night and took room at the Franklin Hotel, but Mr. Smiley's people, where I now am, would not hear to it, but insisted that their house should be my house whilst here. Col. Hale is absent, but I expect him today. He has a very pleasant time of it and one of the best of places to board. They are so kind and treat me as though I were one of the family - have one daughter, a very sensible girl and named Hattie too. But then I suppose all by that name must be good and sensible girls - are they not?
Lieut. Holbrook came up here and stayed a few days. I understand that he has got a Commission as Major in a Negro Regiment and I hope he will accept it - which he will undoubtedly do.
I did not leave Nashville until the next day after writing you. Col. Loomis would not consent to have me go. He treated me very kindly whilst there and also told me that at any time when I felt tired and wanted a few weeks rest, and could not get leave of absence, to write to him and he would have me ordered to report to him for duty and that it should not be very laborious.
He and Maj. Church are having nice times - they have a large dwelling house, well furnished, a part of which they use for office and the balance live in and board themselves. Mrs. Church is with the Major. I had the pleasure and honor of an introduction to her.
The Rail Road is still torn up and I cannot go to the front for 3 or 4 days. Saw Maj. Gen. Schofield yesterday, but he could not tell me where I could get through or where the Army were. He had been home on Leave of Absence and wants to get back also....
Therefore it did not make any difference about my staying so long with you and had I known what I now do, would have remained one week longer.
You know that I advocate doing as the heart dictates. Now had I done so in my case, would have staid at least one week longer with you and it would have been just as well as far as business is concerned and much more pleasant.
But then I fear that had I stayed longer, you would not have consented to have me gone at all and I being of the same mind would have failed to report at the front at the proper time and been Court Martialed for disobedience of Orders and neglect of duty...."
There are a couple partial fold splits, neatly repaired with archival document tape. Fine.
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