Nashville

Feb. 2nd, 1864

Dear Brother:

The preceding letter was written in anticipation of my being ordered away on special service, which Staff Officers are sometimes obliged to make and are never hear from more. But as I closed I found I was not going, and therefore, laid aside the communication. Upon looking it over at this date I find that it contains nothing improper or contraband, and cannot consequently well avoid sending it, if not for you edification, at least for your information. Since I found the preceding letter I have made myself more acquainted with the City and its vicinity. The City is beautifully laid out in squares, that is to say that every street is at right angles to every street crossing it. The Cumberland River which passes through this city forms its base. This City you are aware, is the capitol of the state of Tennessee and therefore the State House is here, and a most elegant limestone fireproof building it is, and located upon the highest eminences or hill in the city. Very many beautiful residences or country villas are in the vicinity.

The peculiarity of southern life consists somewhat in the wealthy building, princely residences surrounded by magnificent pleasure grounds. One of the best or most tasteful is located about 3 miles from the city. Its pleasure grounds embrace an area of about 10 acres, and very handsomely laid. It is filled with a great variety of shrubbery and two very large conservatories in which may be found some of the richest, choicest and rarest flowers. Fish ponds also abound, in which however, can be found nothing but gold fishes (Brook Trout cannot live there.) There is also water works, a tower 125 feet in height is made, upon the top of which is the reservoir from which water is taken to supply the estate and mansion with water.

The mansion itself is palatial and would gratify almost any sane person, yet it seems not to have been sufficient for this southern Nabob. Every room in this, his living house, is furnished most magnificently. One room alone, size about 14 X 20, being furnished with material costing about $50,000. In a separate house close by and nearly as large and imposing is his amusement room in which are his billiard tables, bowling alleys and bar or wine room, and card or gambling rooms.

In another elegant building was his painters and sculptors studio, whom this rich man kept employed in beautifying and ornamenting his place, for you know that his house was filled with choice paintings, and his grounds with classic statuary. He also had a private chapel, where I suppose he offered up his devout adoration to the living God.

The Hermitage (General Jackson's home and estate,) is about 12 miles from the city. I visited the same on the last day of last month. Our picket lines not extending out that distance, it is considered unsafe for Federal Soldiers to go out there. A Major and myself however, having set our minds on visiting this place, guerillas or no guerillas, armed ourselves capapie with 3 pistols each and trusty sabres, took an escort of 10 men and rode out there. We had a delightful ride and a pleasant visit with Andrew Jackson Donilson, the adopted son of the old general, the present owner and occupant of the estate. The house in which the General lived and died is about 40 years old. Very many interesting and valuable relics are in the house. Among them, Washington's official chair used by him when the seat of the government was in Philadelphia. The old General's tomb is in the garden. The Major and I met with no adventures and returned safely home without having seen a single guerilla. They are said to be about but luckily they did not choose to pay us their compliments. Ex-President Polk's residence was in this city. His monument was erected in his front door yard. A singular taste.

War news at this date is not amounting to much. Fighting at Knoxville continues. Several expeditions are starting upon our whole front and by which we anticipate and hope to gain great advantage over the rebels. We are having most delightful spring weather. The trees have commenced budding out and the blue birds pipe forth their jubilant notes.

When you write, tell me what news may now be stirring among the Indians. Do dissentions and bitter animosities still live and burn among them? Will they attempt the recovery of the Kansas interests and claims? I judge so from the fact that Sam George has been in Washington.

Major General Grant is now I suppose a Lt. General. If he accepts this rank I am afraid we will lose his service in the field, as he will of necessity be compelled to go to Washington. Whether his staff will go with him is yet to be determined.

From your Brother,
Ely S. Parker