From the Collection of Albert Pope
Transcribed by Albert Pope and Nancy Cole
RHEA TN 2,
The postal envelope is not available.Hard Times Landing LA
20th Feby 84Miss Ella Holloway
Spring City Tenn
To Sam'l HollowayElla
Dear Friend I received your letter four days ago Found me well and doing the best I can for myself Rose is well Zach left here yesterday for Vicksburg on his way home You will see him and he can tell you more than I can write I wrote Jack four days ago and told him all the news Can't tell where we will go from here to some RR I suspect Guess Spring City is [swell?] We will move the camp today I have charge of into the one Rose has. The Mississippi River has run me out and I will go down today and take charge of the books and Commissary in Headquarters camp where Rose is You ought to see the Mississippi River if you want to see high water Its still rising fast Raining all the time Well I am fearful busy today Ella and you must excuse me for not writing more but will next time I write you Must not let my short letter keep you from writing long ones and tell Aunt Pate to always write Also your Pa Tell Jack he must write soon Kiss the little ones for me Tell Jim to hurry and learn to write so he can write me Write soon Pardon hast[e]
Your friend
Signed: James B. Thompson
Notes:
From a collection of family papers, his letter was written by James B. Thompson to Ella Holloway. Ella appears to be Elvira Holloway who is listed in the household of Sam'l Holloway on the 1880 census of Rhea County. Aunt Pate would be Samuel's wife Leopatria. The other children, Jack and Jim as well as some more "little ones" are in the same household. The identity of Rose is not known. The relationship to James B. Thompson is unclear.
From the Collection of Albert Pope
Transcribed by Albert Pope and Nancy Cole