1862 June 23 Tupelo, Miss

                                                          Head Quarters, Western Department.
                                                                            Tupelo Miss June 23  1862


My Dear Cousin
            Dick
                                       Major Brent formerly of the 17 Va intends going
     to Va soon and has kindly offered to take this to you.  he has been acting
as of Chi[e]f Staff in Col Jordans absence (who has been quite sick for some time)
I presume you heard that I have been in this office.  I was seperated from
my command at Fort D.  they escaped a few hours before I did but I
did not know it until I reached Columbia Tenn. consequently I have
never been with them since--they are now near Chattanooga Tenn and
I am very anxious to join them but find a great difficulty in getting
a suitable horse in this Country in fact there is none to be had at all.
                     I was very sorry indeed, to hear of Willie R having lost
his arm.  Alvin Buck is now in Richmond and you will probably
see him before he returns.  Irvie & Geo Hope are still in the office
Geo. Williams has been promoted recently to the position of A.A. G.
on Col Liddells staff. Comd'g a Brigade.
                 Dick--Genl. Beauregard has left us for awhile.  he has gone to
take a short respite for the benefit of his health, and Genl. B. Bragg
the "Man Slayer" as he is usually called is in Command of our little
band of patriots.  Marsh B. is here in a Missouri Reg't also Frank
Buck.  Br. Marcus is in the Qr. Mr. Dept.--"Clark's Division.
"  Irvie has just stepped in. he said tell Dick that I wanted to write
to him but he had treated me so cussed mean I won't write.  he requested
me to tell you that you are a "Sow Hog"  he sends love,
I would be very much oblige to you if you would be kind as to inform

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where Mack & Dick Bayly are.  write soon and believe me to be
                                          Very Aff
                                               Your Cousin
                                                     R. Blackmore

P.S. Our retreat from Corinth was fine did not lose a man
except a few sick prisoners, not a piece of Artillery, and  only lost
some 300 worthless muskets and a few Commissary Stores.
                                               R.B.

Love to all the boys


Letter to Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, of the Warren Rifles, Co. B. of the 17th Va.

MSS 3064