Nashville, Tenn.

Jan. 25th, 1864

Brother Nic:

Presuming that your ignorance of my whereabouts has kept you from writing to me, I improve this opportunity of sending you a few lines. I believe I once wrote you saying that I was on duty as an Asst. Adj't. Genl. To Genl. J. E. Smith's Division. I remained with him until the latter part of September when I was relieved by Genl. Grant and ordered to report to him for duty. Since then I have been with Genl. Grant as one of his Asst. Adj't. Genl. He has two, Lt. Col. Bowers, and myself. His Chief of Staff, Genl. Rawlins, has one and that makes three of us in the office.

I joined Genl. Grant at Vicksburg, and in a few days after I was taken sick with the fever. While I was sick, orders came from Washington for Genl. Grant to go to Chattanooga. In less than six hours, the Genl. and Staff were all aboard of a steamboat in motion for Cairo. I of course, was in a Doctor's charge, but I recollected nothing after reaching my stateroom until 10 or 15 hours after. I do not suppose the doctor left me many minutes at a time. For he afterwards told me, that he thought I was going to die; and indeed at one time he believed I was dying, as my pulse apparently died out and my extremities began growing cold. In a few days I was all right again, and rode over 60 miles on horseback. In the few days I was sick, I lost over 30 pounds in weight, and I have been very slow in picking it up again. I was quite well when the 5 days fight at Chattanooga took place. Four days of that time I was constantly on horse, and consequently I had a relapse of the shakes. The Doctor checked the complaint at once, and I am again very well but of course greatly reduced in flesh.

We moved our Headquarters from Chattanooga on the 1st of the month to this place. We shall remain here the balance of the winter. The 5 days battle at Chattanooga was a splendid affair - I saw the whole of it, and was as much under fire as the General himself. Only one of our Staff was wounded at that time. He has now fully recovered and is again on duty at Ringgold, Georgia. We were in great danger. The enemy slaughtered our men dreadfully. General Hooker's Headquarters was almost on the front, and as we did not reach the scene of action until after it had commenced, necessity compelled us to ride more than ½ a mile under the enemy's fire to reach Headquarters. The bullets, shot and shell did whistle fearfully and wickedly all around us, but no one of the staff was hurt. I was very much surprised at myself, for I was not in the least alarmed, but on the contrary, was at the time greatly pleased at being in the midst of battle. I have at no time experienced any unpleasant sensations in riding over a battlefield among the dead, dying and wounded. I admit that it is a most shocking sight to look upon, but generally we have other & more important matters to think of that does not permit us to yield to feelings of sympathy or pity.

The country about Chattanooga is very mountainous. It was originally the home of the Cherokee. Four miles from Chattanooga is possibly the birthplace and home of John Ross. I have seen and conversed with many who have been associates of the Cherokee previous to their removal from the country. The Tennessee River runs through the Cumberland Mountains at this point.

The farming or planter population of this section of the country, and in fact of the whole South, have never at any time been as complete or as good livers as our poor New York Indians. They live here in miserable log or block houses with the chimneys stuck on outside. They use old-fashioned fireplaces and sleep upon the floor. In short, as a community they are not as civilized as our Indians. In the villages of course, things look different. Every body who could afford it generally settled in villages. The poor or laboring classes had to remain in the country. Last week I was in Huntsville, Alabama and I give it credit for being the most beautiful village I ever saw or visited in the United States. It is about as large as Batavia (NY), but a great deal handsomer.

Fighting or heavy skirmishing is daily going on at Knoxville. Genl. Grant went to Chattanooga day before yesterday. By & by you may expect to hear of a tremendous battle being fought by Grant in the vicinity of Knoxville.

I am not at all sorry I am in the Army. I like it. When I get tired of it, I may resign. I would like now and then to hear from you. Let me know your plans and intentions. It may control my management of my home matters. Direct Capt. E.S. Parker, Maj. Genl. Grant's Headquarters - Nashville, Tenn. Communications thus addressed will always reach me.

From your Brother,
E.S. Parker