Charles Roberts to Maggie Roberts (12 February 1863)

              Camp near Shelbyville, Tenn.
Feby 12th 1863"
My own Sweet wife,
I have been on picquet the past [two] days
and no opportunity of writing you. Yesterday I was ordered
to camp to assist in making out the pay roll for the
Company and I have appreciated a little time to write 
a few lines to my darling Maggie. Our Battery is stationed
nine miles North of Shelbyville on the Murfreesboro
pike and when the Yankees make any demonstration
we advance a mile or two farther and take position on
the pike. There are Cavalry in front of us and in case 
of their falling back we have to keep the position. Since
we have been out the enemy have made two or three for-
ward movements and the Cavalry with two pieces of
artillery belonging to Roberts’ Battery have had some
right sharp skirmishes. We have taken no part in any
of the engagements as yet although we have been in 
unpleasantly close proximity. The road from Murfreesboro to
Shelbyville is perfectly straight with the exception of a 
slight bend about three miles from the former place and 
when they shoot solid shot from their rifle battery they dance 
along on the hard pike as though they never would stop."
We camp at night at a log meeting house at which in times
of peace I expect there has been many a good sermon preached."
Many of the Company go to the houses in the neighborhood
and get their meals, for my own part I would rather go