98

George E. Purvis.

Letter describing Nashville a few days before Union occupation.

Nashville, TN, 13 February 1862
Autograph Letter Signed to friend Mal. 2 pages, 12½ x 7¾ inches, on one page; small repair at intersection of folds. With typed transcript.

George Edward Purvis (1835-1908) of Nashville, TN was a lieutenant in Rutledge's Tennessee Light Artillery Battery. Here he describes the nervous mood in his hometown as the battle of Fort Donelson raged not far to the west: "There is a great deal of excitement here. Regiments are being formed for city defence, composed in great measure of old men and middle-aged men. . . . [Albert Sidney] Johnston with his force has left Bowling Green, with the purpose I suppose of coming to the defence of Nashville. . . . The city is full of cannon, and I never saw such bustle and confusion, such a moving among wagons, drays and vehicles in the busiest season. There is a perfect din of noises. Fortifications progress in almost every direction."

Fort Donelson fell two days later, and the Confederates evacuated Nashville a week after that, leaving Tennessee largely under Union control.

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