My dear little Nannie:
I did not carry out my purpose
of writing to you yesterday and the evening of the day
before because of the rain and wind that have ren-
-dered our Camp so disagreeable – This morning we have
no rain but the equinoctial storm still rages while
I am writing in my hut of leaves ^ ‘on’ and a rustic table
^ ‘and’ while my sixteen year old companion from Mississippi
puts fuel in the rusty old parlor stove, that Church
Chinault [Churchwell Chenault]found in a deserted house down about Munson’s Hill & brought to me – We had retired to bed
and slept very comfortably night before last until a-
-bout 1 o’clock when the rain found its way through
our roof of leaves and we had to “pick up our beds &
walk” at double quick time to the tents of our friends
who laughed loudly at our discomfiture and application
for shelter from the storm –
It is reported here that the Yankees are advan-
-cing to day; and although our horses are harnessed & we
are ready to move I do not expect to leave here for some
time –
These unfounded reports are of too frequent occurrence –

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I have had your nice letter of the 23rd for three days
and have not replied to it for the reasons aforementioned
in this – Of course we will have a one horse Carriage &
Oh! what a nice time when Choctaw gets home again –
You were misinformed as to my having the command of
the Battery in the absence of all our Officers except
Clark – Clark was the legal & very acceptable next in
command until the return of Lieut [William J.] Folkes who superseded
him – I have not heard of the whiskey frolic among the
Officers to which you allude – If such an one came
off, & I should not be surprised if it did Clark was
not present at all – I delivered your Ma’s (my Mothers)
message about the Coat to Clark – He sends none in
reply – He is very anxious to raise an Artillery Company
from materials at Lynchburg & in Mr Dillard’s neighbor-
-borhood & speaks of going home with that view in a
few days – Citizens sometimes experience trouble in get-
-ting passes at Manassas when they are not able to
identify themselves satisfactorily but I presume that Mr.
Dillard could get here very easily – If he will write
to Clark or me in advance one or the other of us could
meet him at the Junction – We are supplied with dishes
& plates – I am much obliged to you for your kind
offer to send us more –
If possible I would take it as a very great favor
if my Nannie will have one pair of my old Boots
mended in heavy style and send them to me by
some person who will promise & execute the promise
to deliver them to me in person – If I shall want
other winter apparel I can get them ^ ‘it’ when I am
at home in November –
John Williams called to see me
a day or two since – He seems to be unfixed in
his employment and purposes – If he is going to serve
the Country he ought to attach himself to some corps
permanently –
Grey Latham has not yet returned but is
looked for this evening – I saw Tom Claiborne a day
or two since – No new command has yet been assigned
him – He is employed at the Head Quarters of General
Johnston in connexion with the Muster Rolls –
Woodie Latham has left the Junction & is
lukewarm about the Company Command to which
he has been elected.
Nannie always fills her letter sheets but the
want of items to communicate renders it impossible to
be done by her own Choctaw
My love to all at home

William A. King, Captain of the Saltville Light Artillery
MSS 6682