[Transcript of Letter from Maud C. Fentress to David Fentress, February 14, 1862] Page: 1 of 4

                                
Bolivar, Febt14th 1862

My dear Child,
I had hoped to hear from you
to day, but was disappointed. Lizzie received a
letter from her Aunt Mary, the first for a long
time. I suppose you have seen accounts: of our
two defeats at Fishing Creek, & Fort Henry, which
cast a gloom over our community & saddened my
heart to perfect despondency, until our victory
yesterday at Fort Donaldson. Our forces were
attacked by land & water (10,000 Infantry
& ten gun boats) but most gallantly
repulsed the enemy. We have not the losses on either side
yet. the two federal victories preceeding these
had emboldened them .so much, that they
expected to carry every thing before them, but
God has been gracious once more to us, &
we should endeavour to praise him for it,
to humble ourselves under his mighty hand
& pray most sincerely for a continuance of his
presence with our Armies. let us give him the
glory & not take it to ourselves,  it is all
directed in wisdom, for the good of his creatures
& his own glory. We are expecting daily to hear of an
attack of Bowlingreen & Columbus. if these