Scope and Contents Note Dec. 14th 1863Chattanooga, Tenn.Dear SisterI sat my self down to let you know that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you in the same state of health. well matta I have come out of another fight safe and sound with the exception of getting my ankle hurt but it is a good deal better now. well matta I wrote you a letter a few weeks ago and I think that it is time I was getting a letter from you now. I said that I would send you some...

Scope and Contents Note Chattanooga Jan. 13th/64Dear SisterI recived yours of December the 29 and was glad to hear from you that you are well. these few lines leave me in good helth. and my ankle is got well again. you wanted to know how I got it hurt on the 25th of nov. was the day we had the fight and when we made the charge on the rebels works. I slepeted and fell down and got my ankel hurt. well mattie I sent you a order a few days befor Christmas to go to uncle addam and get ten dollars...

Scope and Contents Note June 13th 1865Camp Near NashvilleDear SisterI recived your kind and welcome letter a few days ago and it found me in good helth. I was glad to hear from you that you are well and glad to hear that Susans family is well also—well mattie I am sory to hear that you are used so mean by your sister and uncle but let them go and you do the best you can and be a good girl until I get home and then I will see to you. try and get a good place to live at until I get...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

Alfred Gruber wrote this letter to his father, Joseph Gruber, from Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 18, 1865. In it, he discusses the aftermath of the war in Chattanooga and wonders whether he should accept the government's offer of a bounty in exchange for five years of service.

Scope and Contents Note Knoxville, Tenn.Dec., 14th 1863.Sister Jennie,I have got around to the regt. once more, or to the camp of regt, the regt is about 28 miles from here at present but we expect them back in a few days. There are a good many of the boys here. Lieut. Callender is here and also Lieut. Meek. Lieut. Meek got here yesterday about the same time I did. I left Cumberland Gap the 10th of Dec. and got here yesterday about noon. The 2d day after we left the Gap a train...

Scope and Contents Note Camp Fuller Oct. 9th—62Friend Lottie, Yours came to hand this morning, and I will replay soon. I have not much time to write this morning, for Surgion’s call—You may feel desirous to know when we leave here. And as I am assured that we will go Monday next, I think I can safely say we will leave on that day—We are not going pass Marengo I understand, but by the way of Woodstock. If you wish to see me again before I leave you must try and come up, or go to...

Scope and Contents Note Officers HospitalJune 21st 1863Dear LottieI just received your letter from East Worcester. I was surprised to learn you had got home, but it is just as well, for I cannot say when I shall go North or any where else. I wrote you a few days ago and directed my letter to Marengo.You will probably never get it, for I presume Will will Open it for you—OI could give five dollars today if I had it.Lottie you speak of me going East if I get...

Scope and Contents Note Officers HospitalMemphis TennJune 23rd 1863Dear LottieI wrote you but a few days ago—but forgot to answer one question you asked me—You wished to know how Gust Fletcher was getting along.It pains me to inform you he is no more—He died from his wounds nine days ago. I saw him but a few moments before he died, and I asked him if he wished me to write to his Mother and he said he did—But I could not ascertain by him (because he was at...

Scope and Contents Note Camp near Fayetteville Tenn. July 25th 1863Dear Frankie:--I received your letter of June 26th on the 20th of this month. It must be that there are several of your letters somewhere which have not reached me yet, for the last I got before was written in May. I wrote you a long letter last week when we were at Huntsville. I hope you have got it. Mail communication with us not very frequent or regular. We left Huntsville on the 20th—Gen. Mitchell’s division arriving at...

Scope and Contents Note Pulaski, Tenn.November 20th, 1864E. Smith Woodworth & FriendYours to Pali reminds me that I owe you a letter—I dislike to be in debt, so will now make an attempt to pen you a few lines. We are just getting the particulars of the election, and as an old darky in Alabam said—(one day as we were passing a plantation when about five thousand were congregated along the way-side)—one of the boys asked him...

Scope and Contents Note Nashville TennesseeDec the 5 1862Kind FriendI seat myself to pen you A few lines let you now that I am Well at present and hope when this comes wherever it may find you in the same. State of helth well Bill we have had Hard times I Rote last we have ben in Nashville for som three months and a good part of the time we havent very moutch to eat only what we get out of the surrounding Country and you may think ther wasn’t very moutch Well bill we ben in three...

Scope and Contents Note Ft. Pillow Tenn Feb 21st 1863Uriah ScottDear NeiceI received your letter this morning it found me well & in good spirits I was down at the boat this morning guarding some prisoners while they took off 2 24 pounders siege guns which took us till about 3oclock this afternoon and it was raining in the mean time all it could pour down The river is rising fast it is at pretty good height at this time although we are about 3 or feet above water yet I guess...

Scope and Contents Note Union City TennNovber 20th 1863To MotherWaterloo IowaI received your letter this evening and was glad to hear from you again for I thought that you had forgotten me becse you did not write sooner I am still enjoying good health as could be expected we just got in off another Scout we took from 30 to forty prisoners and killed 8 or ten and wounded about that many mortally we made a pretty good haul that time I wish we could do so every day there...

Scope and Contents Note Head Quarters 27th Ind VolsTullahoma Tenn April 13th/ 64My dear PaI have received no letter since the one from Lizzie but taking it for granted that you have sent some I will continue to write. We are having very pleasant spring weather here as this time which will be taken advantage of to move the troops in the front Gen Hovey passed through here yesterday morning on his way to the front I must say that they have a very poor looking set of officers and if...

Scope and Contents Note From the Collection:

This collection houses several items documenting Tennessee author James Agee, including typed and handwritten letters, a review of Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by Selden Rodman (1941), a copy of Agee's short story Dedication Day (1946), and numerous magazine clippings. All of these items originally belonged to Selden Rodman and were rescued from a fire at his estate.