Camp 47th Regt Ala. Vol.
Near Bristol Tenn.
April 11, 1864

Mrs. Martha M. McKnight

Kind Lady
I write you a few lines in answer to yours of March the 29th which leaves me well. I have nothing of interest to write you at present. I  was very glad to hear from you and to hear that was getting along so well. John Jackson and Andrew came in a few days since. I received a nice ham that you sent me and half a loaf of bread which came in a great time of need for we had been living on oatmeal without sifting and the poorest beef that ever could be found in the confederacy and only about half enough at that but we are getting very good rations now. Major Campbell will not muster Andrew in until he gets a certificate from his Father showing that he is willing for him to be mustered in. So from what I can find out I think it very doubtful whether John gets his furlough or not. We are drilling every day. I hear no talk of any movement being made shortly here. There are no yanks near us at this time. The general opinion of the people here is that there will be but very little fighting this spring. There is something going on more than common among our leaders but we can't tell what it is for this is the first time since we have been in service that we have been out of reach of the enemy's shells unless we was on the march. Capt. Burton is gone home on furlough now he said he would bring my recruit if he could catch him and if not he would report him to the conscript officer. I would like to see him come in very well. Greer Sorrells has not got his furlough yet. I can't tell what is the matter. He is going to apply again and if he fails next time he is going to let someone else have his recruit and I think I will get him. I think that they have treated Greer very wrong about it and the fault is in our senior company officer. I think but I may be wrong. Frank says that if I can get Major Campbell to forward it, it will come all right. I received a letter from Wright Causey the other day all was well down there. He wrote that Washington was at home yet. But if he had to go in the service he was coming to my company if he comes I will get a furlough on him. I wrote to Joe Bentley to come here if he has to go any where. Frank says he wants him to come here but he knows that John wants him to stay at home and that is the reason why he did not bring him when he came back. If Joe wants to come he can come with Capt. Burton. But I don't want to persuade him against his will. Give Karen and the children my respects and tell her to not forget to write to me because I have not wrote to her oftener. Give all the old neighbors my respects generally and tell them to write. I did not think Ben Sims would take the woods but I suppose he has. I will close. Give Eldora a kiss for me.

Farewell
CPC McKnight                                                            Martha M. McKnight
Direct letters to Bristol, Tenn.                      Law's Brigade Buckner Division