Letter; E. J. Nash to cousin Carrie; 4/14/1862

              April 14, 1862
Dear Cousin
 
Your letter was recd last Thursday--but, as I had written only a few days previous I concluded not to answer immediately as I had nothing additional of interest to communicate.  Since then we have heard of the dreadful battle of "Shiloa'h -- near Corinth--and have every reason to believe that Jimmie was there but can hear nothing from him.  Knowing that if still living Jimmie would write "home" immediately after the fight I therefore concluded that the most reliable way of hearing from him would be from you--as he may not have recd my letter--and unless he wrights I will not probably hear any-thing whatever.  We have heard many and contradictory statements relative to the casualties results etc. of the engagement but all agree that up to Thursday we had decidedly the advantage. Then there was a cessation of hostilities to bury the dead.  Uncle Norris recd a note from Mr Kelly (who lives about 8 miles from here) on Saturday night stating that his son John had just arrived there on his way home--was wounded in the leg. Uncle N_  immediately started fror [sic] him in his buggy arrived here about 2 o'cl Sunday morning. Cousin John brought the heart-rending intelligence that he left Cousin Ira a