Nashville Nov[em]b[e]r 5th 1864

Dear Father,

I have been expecting a letter from home for several days but so far have not been gratified. The last letter I wrote you I said I would send you the money to buy the Rail road stock but I was only paid for the month October and after paying for board for last as well as this month and sundries like washing and attendance on room I have very little left besides in coming out I drew some from Rock as we spent a day and a half in Cincinnati and a day against our will in Louisville. This week I expect the salary for Nov[em]b[e]r and then I can spare it easily. If you can raise the amount and buy I will send it on as soon as possible. The Rebs have thrown up works as if to beseige [sic] this City and seem to be waiting for reinforcements. This morning there was some fighting on the left and I hear we lost two guns but afterwards recaptured them and one other. I rode out to the lines today and saw some Officers I knew in Memphis. Capt[ain] Reed took me on a high hill where his battery was planted behind hastily constructecd earthworks and shewed [sic] me our skirmishers in front about a half a mile and on enquiring I found that was all the troops between us and the rebs, by going up a little higer [sic] I had a good view of the Johnnies themselves, and for my edification he aimed his cannon and pitched three shells among them to shew [sic] me how he could make them scatter as he said. They seemed to come to the conclusion they had seen enough of the State House which they evidently were looking at as they were opposite a ravine or valley.

I thought that for my edification the Rebs might reply and as my horse was about half a mile back I cast a great many glances that way to be sure which direction to "scyugle." [sic] I saw the smoke of their campfires off to the left while I now write though after 7 PM the cannon still roar on the left of our line. An Artillery duel has been going on since yesterday morning, but the majority is from us to prevent them planting batteries. General Hocker with 20,000 men is expected tonight. Today I was introducted [sic] to General Couch by Capt[ain] Eddy. He is a very pleasant, agreeable man and recognized my name. We had quite a long conversation. The Officer who has charge of the draughting [sic] Dep[ar]t[ment of the Military Railroads says in the course of a short time, perhaps ten days he can give me a situation as a draughtsman at from $125 to $299 per month. I would like to go, but would dislike so much to leave Capt[ain] E. who I think will give me $125 this month. I have nothing to do at present so I visit the State House and look all through it. I have been on the dome and had a fine view. The masonry of the house is fine but I do not admire the shape or proportions of it. Write soon as a letter is so acceptable in these excitable times. We wake at the fire of the cannon, write by it, and go to sleep with it.

My love to all. I remain

Yours Truly
Hamilton Alricks Jr

Captain read an order (that was captured) issed [sic] by the Rebel Gen[era]l S D Lee thanking the Rebs for bravery at Franklin and saying We will soon have Nashville and all its stores (over the left)