Marching 130 to 140 miles in ten days is the pace which John Laird’s company sustained in order to arrive within two miles of Knoxville, Tennessee by December 8th, 1863. John writes to his mother concerning the war and how the soldiers took chickens, sheep, cattle, flour and more from those who had seceded. In his letter, he refers to these traitors as Secesh.

From Marietta, Georgia, John Laird tells his mother that the Union has driven the Confederates to this place and they have a very strong position. He does not know if Sherman is going to attack them or try to flank them out. Laird tells his mother that he has not received any pay in six months. He closes the letter with I still remain your Soldier Boy.