John Caldwell has obtained leave of absence for sixty days. The reason for the leave of absence was because they would not let him retire and gave him the absence only if officers could be found to run his command. He wanted his captain to take command but the department would not allow it. Even if he had been granted retirement, it would have ended the same with a temporary command. He was able to acquiesced Dr. Col. Cunningham, a West Point graduate and a gentlemen to take the temporary command.

Letter from David Fentress to his wife Clara in which he writes about having fevers and waiting for his box of medicines to arrive. His slave, Al, is sick, so he is having to wait upon the sick,feed his own horses, and do his own cooking. He argues that the losses at Vicksburg, Charleston, or Richmond do not mean that the South is conquered. He says that the North has an advantage with gun boats. He also writes about family, the health of family and friends. He talks about fabric for new pants and vest. He has new orders to move to Pine Bluff.

Transcript of a letter from David Fentress to his wife Clara in which he writes about having fevers and waiting for his box of medicines to arrive. His slave, Al, is sick, so he is having to wait upon the sick,feed his own horses, and do his own cooking. He argues that the losses at Vicksburg, Charleston, or Richmond do not mean that the South is conquered. He says that the North has an advantage with gun boats. He also writes about family, the health of family and friends. He talks about fabric for new pants and vest. He has new orders to move to Pine Bluff.