Nashville Jan[uary] 18th 1865
Dear Father

I rec[eive]d yours of the 9th several days ago and one without a date, but post marked 15th to day. I have been kept too busy to write much lately and now have to write this in my room after night, I expect to be on the Levee (about three fourths of a mile from here) by seven tomorrow morning. That is if I can get awake as we have had so much dark and cloudy weather since I have been here that I have gotten in to the lazy habit of sleeping until after eight o'clock though the weather is delightful at present and has been for more than a week, with good prospects of it continuing so for the rest of the Winter. This country is hard on the horses, the limestone sticking up in the streets, worse than in the vicinity of Carlisle. I have lamed two horses within a short time by their heels getting bruised but hope they will soon be over it as they are fine carriage horses that Capt[ain] Eddy brought from Memphis which I suppose accounts for their feet being so tender as there are no stones in tha[t] part of the country. My neuralgia has entirely gone and I hope for ever. I have had no time to try and get a substitute but as soon as the Surgeon I spoke of who went to Savannah writes me so I will know his directions I will find from him my prospects for one from that direction.

I had an opportunity of going down this River to the Mouth and then up to Louisville on business but I had not time and postponed it and now think I will send some one else, though I should like to visit the Elders at Clarksville.

I have great trouble with the men I hire as it is hard to get reliable men. I often wish I could keep a situation open for some of my friends at home, but I hired a man on Monday (to take the place of one who went off on Saturday as his family were sick) and left on Tuesday, and as we depend on them for the account of Stores received it can not under the circumstances be very correct. I found a friend today that used to be in Memphis when I first went there who I am going to employ tomorrow at $100 per month, and by accident they found I had another clerk a good penman so they take him into the Office and I must find another at $45. This town is full of deserters, bounty jumppers [sic] and men of that class who apply for situations for the purpose of robbing. The other night our office was robbed of a big chest bound with iron, and containing an Iron letter press which they doubtless thought was money. This was done when we have a watchman inside and a guard without. We keep guards at the doors through the day to prevent the crowds daily beseiging [sic] the Office for money favors, transportation contracts & cout [?]. One side of the Building looks like the Polls on election day; men getting paid off for a couple of months back. When you take into consideration that the Rolls have to be made out in duplicate for about ten thousand men and they must all sign or put their marks on, get a check have it entered on the cash book and then go to the cashier for the money you can know it is an immense job. Our office is divided off into eight [author originally had "seven," but crossed it out and added "eight."] different rooms for the different classes of business all of which have their clerks assigned to them. Rock Smith intended bringing his wife down here but when he got to Cincinnati he was offered a situation which he accepted but I have not heard who with but suppose Captain Eddy who is entitled to one clerk.

Give my love to all. Write soon and tell Callie to send a letter

Yours Truly
Hamilton Alricks Jr

P.S. Excuse the blots as my room has not got the best facilities for writing in it. The town is not as crowded as formerly. I think Memphis will be the big Depot.