Barracks No. 1.
Nashville, Tenn
Mar 13, 1863
Dear Wife
As I have but little else to do but write, I expect I will make you tired of reading my uninteresting scribbling. But I don’t expect to write so often hereafter as I expect to go to the Regiment today or tomorrow as it is reported that they are preparing a fleet to go up the river within that time. I am well and hearty. I believe I have a better appetite than I have had this winter.
The weather is beautiful here at this time. It is just warm enough to be pleasant. We have had a great deal of rain since I come here and it looks now very much like there would be rain again before night. It is so warm and sweaty.
Charley Smith is dead. He died the 10th. I did not go to see him as it was reported they had the Cholera in his hospital. Poor man. He has seen a heap of trouble of mind since he came into the service, but he is now rid of it all. He died of Dengue Fever. I saw Isaac Roseboom yesterday. He complained of being worse but all the difference I could see was he had a cough but nothing like as bad as I had before I left home.
There is 100 Rebel prisoners in these barracks now. They were all wounded in the Murfreesboro fight. They are an awful hard looking, hard dressed set of fellows and some have arms off, some legs off, and others wounded in every way almost that could be mentioned and yet they are very impudent and saucy and appear to be confident that we will never whip them.
I don’t know of any special moves being made in the Army. The Rebels captured 40 wood choppers within 4 miles of here yesterday and it is reported here that some pickets and teamsters of the 89th have been taken.
It is supposed here that Rosecrans is going to do something soon as he has lately issued an order forbidding passes either to or from his Army near Murfreesboro.
I have been all over this town and I set it down as the dirtiest, filthiest, stinkiest and wickedest place I ever saw. Yesterday I was up on the cupola of these barracks which is near 100 feet high and I could see in almost every direction as far my eyes would let me and I am confident there is not a single farm fence within sight.
I have been around town considerable pricing things that are to sell. I find butter is 50 cts, eggs 35 to 40, apples $10.00 per barrel and from 3 to 5 cts a piece. Salt 9 to 12 dollar per bl, ginger cakes 2 cts, Spruce Beer 10 per glass, Common Whisky 50 cts per pint, Cheese 25 cts, dried beef 30 cts, Pork 10 to 12cts, Bacon 15 cts, Flour $10.00, cornmeal $1.25 and everything else in proportion.
So I must close and go to dinner as we have to go at time or do without here. We have plenty to eat.
You may write now and direct to
Jacob Shively,
Co. D. 89 O.V.I. Crooks Brigade via Nashville, Ten,
In care of Capt Brown
Yours until Death
Jacob Shively
A Thousand Thunders 