Description

At the start of the Civil War, Dent was a 1st lieutenant of the Eufaula Rifles, which became Company B of the 1st Alabama Infantry; he was eventually promoted to captain and commanded Dent's Battery (formerly Robertson's Battery). In the letter he discusses the weather ("It is cold muddy disagreeable and nearly every thing else that is bad"); illness and conditions in camp; a ball recently hosted by artillery officers ("Richardson has been giving me a glowing description of the ball...From what he says of it I do not think I would like to see any of my Lady friends at such a place"); and his predictions about the duration of the war ("I have come to the conclusion that the war will last at least through Lincoln's administration"). He also mentions that "Congress is about to repeal the twenty negro exemption law" ("It will bring in some of the Eufaula fellows") and that a lot of men are dissatisfied with their commanding officers ("It would not surprise me if there would be a change here in the head of the army"). A transcription is included. [The original pages were extremely faded, so these images have been enhanced to bring out the text.]

From Collection

Alabama Textual Materials Collection

Record Contributed By

Alabama Department of Archives and History, 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36130