W.W. FERGUSSON LETTER

TO

E.R. MILLER of RIDDLETON

FEBRUARY 15, 1898

Transcribed By Bill Jolly Amonette

Major W.W. Fergusson and E.R. Miller both had served in the Army of the Confederacy and since the Civil War were leaders in the Bradley Bivouac at Riddleton. The Major and his family had moved to Davidson County and had taken residence in Madison just to the north of Nashville. In this portion of a rather lengthy letter, Major Fergusson sought to assure Mr. Miller of their continued friendship and of his desire to remain connected to his comrades in Smith County and at the same time relating the situation at his new home in Madison.

“Glad to hear of the Bivouac keeping up -- don’t let it go down -- don’t give it up under any clouds or depression that may shadow you. I sometimes think I will have my membership transferred to the Cheatham Bivouac but I know I will feel more at home to stay with you all in the Bradley Bivouac, and I believe I will stick to you to the last. If I were to die here, I would wish to be buried in my own graveyard at the old home where my two children & brother [Charles] are resting, and I know of no people anywhere I would rather bury me than your people & mine. And when it shall be done, if I could only hear someone say --’We could have spared many a man better than Fergusson,’ I shall rest thoroughly satisfied to sleep until my resurrection.

Yes, ’with an early start I could make Riddleton in one day.’ I have promised to wait for Esq. Vanhooser and we are to walk it together sometime in the Spring -- say about the last week in May, about re-union day of our Bivouac. At present, I am planting a large lot of vegetables, about five acres of oats & during spare time will underpin my house & build a rock wall fence fronting Madison Avenue. I have not forgotten how to walk -- very frequently walk to the city & back the same day, but have a hard time beating the accommodation trains home. It is always pleasant though to walk down to the head of the Street Car in about 5 ms. -- and their go whizzing into the city fully rested by the ride, and you can go either by R.R. track or Gallatin pike & not much difference in the distance & and both smooth tracks for walking.

I will be up at Chancery Court which meets the 1st or 2nd Monday in March, & will again try to dispose finally of the Reed Vs Clariday case and I will stay one night at Sister Kate’s & another at Mr. Ed Miller’s, and you may tell that gentleman that I have improved wonderfully in conversation.

Now if there is anything I can bring you, let me know it. I saw men’s good hats selling for 49 cents -- good as those $150 in Smith; shoes for .75 to $120 , Calico for 2 &1/2 up to 4, silks at 25 to 55 per yard. Ladies hats from .20 to $200 & I never saw such a reduction in all my life. Just imagine fine bleached domestic at 4&3/4 ct. per yard that heretofore cost 8 to 10. Brown sugar, 30 lbs. to the dollar & fine Clairfice at 24, but the clear white, fine, is 19 to $100. Coffee anywhere from 5 lb. to 12&1/2 lb. for &100. We have used the cheap article and Dora says it is good. I

drink tea altogether.

Your reference to the beautiful morning just suits me exactly and I am glad to see the sun rise every morning and each succeeding one seems more beautiful than the last & you may imagine my delight in witnessing them from my new home, which is almost on a level with sunrise there being no intervening hills whatever.

Write soon. Best wishes for you & yours & all friends, yours, W.W. Fergusson

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