J.W. Henderson to Sarah A.M. Henderson (24 July 1862)

              Camp near Tupelo Mississippi
July 24th 1862
Dearest Sallie, Your long looked for substitute has came and is willing to take my place for a while, but circumstances are such at this time that I s'pose it might be better not to make the exchange. The supposition here now is that we will leave, this is in a few days, perhaps 4 or 5 and your Uncle John didn't feel willing to leave here with the regiment not knowing where it may be ordered to. We rather think we will go towards Chattanooga, but then there is no certainty which way we will go. I might be safe in going home for 4 or 5 days and get back here in time to leave with the regiment, but then again it might leave sooner, and if you're Uncle John should fall out and leave my place vacant without permission, it might get me into a difficulty, so taking everything into consideration, we think it best for me not to risk it. I would not have more than 2 days to stay with you and then we would have to part again and dearest, the thought of passing through such a trial as I had to do on the 3rd morning...............