We have had no FORT WAYNE TIMES for two weeks till yesterday. It gave an account of his being in Nevin, about the center of the state, where I think he will be killed. John, could you have no influence over him? Why did he go? What will become of his little children? Buckner and he will come in contact with each other soon, and what will be the event? God only knows. I never expect to see him again. Richard M. Ford was killed in the Battle of Belmont, six miles from Columbus. I expect his wife is in Texas. Ford Sterling was killed at Bowling Green. Mr. Pippen died the nineteenth of November, and you heard of the death of Mr. Barker. Beverly was here yesterday and says they are all well. Every person has left Salem except for a few families. Your Pa says, “I have done nothing in no way”; and he expects to stay at his home and do the best he can. All the ferryboats are sunk, and there is no way to cross the river. The troops pass through Salem—the Northerners and the Southerners. I am afraid of their meeting sometime in Salem. This may be the last letter you ever will get from me. I expect the mail will stop. Give my respects to Eliza and the children, and write often. Let me hear from your brother if you ever hear again. I close by saying, Your ever affectionate mother, Jane Bass In February, 1862, Buell attempted to march his army northward to reinforce General Grant’s Army of the Tennessee in the attack on Fort Donelson. Adverse weather conditions and impassable roads forced the men to return to camp after an advance of only fourteen miles. In March General Buell received orders from General Halleck to join Grant and the Army of the Tennessee at Pittsburg Landing near Shiloh. General Grant and his forces were to remain in camp at Pittsburg Landing while awaiting Buell’s arrival. It was planned that the two armies would join forces and then advance on Corinth. The delay thus necessitated in the Union advance afforded the scattered Confederate forces an opportunity to consolidate their strength. On the sixth of April, under the able leadership of General Albert Sidney Johnston, the Confederate troops launched a surprise attack against Grant’s encampment.