Item Description: Letter from H. R. Moore to Smith Lipscomb.  He discusses looting by Union Soldiers, wounded men at home, and contemplates joining the Army.  He also asks Lipscomb to secure his cotton to protect it from the Union soldiers.

Item Citation: Folder 5, Lipscomb Family Papers, #429, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Item Transcription:

Bay Springs Mipi Nov. 29th 1864

Smith Lipscomb:

I have recently come out of the Yankees lines for the first time since soon after I left your house. The thieving scamps have broken Mr. Hunt, the Lipscombs and most everyone else in our county completely up. If John and Tom are still with you, say to them John Day Lipscomb will go after them soon. If he don’t go I will. Take as good care of my cotton as if it was your own and I will satisfy you when I move it. I think it would be best to have it in a house, securely fastened if there is as much thieving there as there is in most parts where I have been. Spare no paines to fully protect it from waste and from rogues and I will be satisfied. The Factors for which it was purchased has not yet been burned but does but little good inside the enemy’s lines.

Should Hood relieve our oppressed country I will want the cotton removed. My health is not good but think of going into the army. I am here on a visit to my Father’s family for the first time since the evacuation of Corinth. I found two Brother’s wounded and a sister’s Husband who has lost a leg and other broken. We have a much distressed world but we will have better times after awhile.

Our family was well when I left home. Give my best respects to your family.

Very Truly,

H. R. Moore