Thank you so much for your insight which gives me more data points to mull over. It was the term "Little South" that brought me to your forum as you had mentioned "Little Dixie" in your book on 1862 guerilla warfare (a Xmas gift from my husband).

Until I started my family research, I had no idea of the impact of the Civil War in the community of most all of my ancestors. It began by reading the Provost Marshal's Papers for Adair County and finding another 2X great grandfather charged with treason - and yet another 2X great testifying in the trial. Both of different sympathies. The pattern continues through all of the branches, so I must keep an open mind. They did merge to create the family I cherish.

I will continue to attempt breaking the code - not yet successful, but I love cryptograms. I'm still open here to further help from readers.

You might be interested to know that there is evidence that the letter's author did grow tobacco, so I think you were "right on" in that assessment.

Thank you for your help! Also, thank you for this forum, I'm enjoying the information shared.

Marsha