Cast of Characters:
Elmira Sloan McCorkle Roache, born 1799, and husband Dr. Stephen Roach; their children, Addison Roache and Quincy Roache. Elmira was a sister of the writer.
Locke L. McCorkle, evidently killed in Civil War.
Lemuel Scott & Lemuel Scott's son James Scott. Lemuel Scott is the "Lem" in "Lemalsamac" Christian Church - Church of Christ.
David Purviance McCorkle & wife Margaret Scott McCorkle. D.P. McCorkle was a nephew of the writer & son of Edwin Alexander McCorkle & Jane Maxwell Thomas McCorkle.
Sue McCorkle (a Mrs. McNail, I think, or mother of a Mrs. McNail). Daughter of the writer.
Howard Harris Roache, killed from wound incurred at Battle of Shiloh, buried in McCorkle Cemetery, Dyer Co., Tennessee. Nephew of the writer & son of the addressee.
John Edwin McCorkle, nephew of the writer & son of Edwin Alexander McCorkle & Jane Maxwell Thomas McCorkle.
Finis A. McCorkle, nephew of the writer & son of Edwin Alexander McCorkle & Jane Maxwell Thomas McCorkle.
Tina McCorkle, that is, Latina Elmira McCorkle, later Mrs. John Gregory, & daughter of Edwin Alexander McCorkle & Jane Maxwell Thomas McCorkle.
"Lizza" Elizabeth McCorkle Reeves (later Mrs. Hiram Reeves of Gadsden, Tennessee) & daughter of Edwin Alexander McCorkle & Jane Maxwell Thomas McCorkle.
Parents of the writer HRA McCorkle were early immigrants to Dyer County: Robert McCorkle & 2nd wife Margaret Morrison (McCorkle).
James McCorkle, son of the writer (as was Joseph S. McCorkle also a son), "is married to Miss Clemment of Weakly County" – Lizzie Obedience Clement McCorkle.

Yorkville, Tenn., Jan. 12th 1863

My dearly beloved Sister,

Yours and the Dr. Was brought from Hickman [Kentucky] last week. I embrace this the first opportunity to reply. I have not received any thing from [your son] Addison [Roache] nor [his wife] Emily. I am glad they got mine, am sorry I did not get theirs. I recd one from [your son] Quincy [Roache] and a little scrap from Becca, and answered them immediately, communication was then cut off, and there have no letters passed since I had not thought of sending by Hickman.

[¶ ] After the Federals got possession of our country and the Rail Road, we became subject to their orders, and were faring tolerably well. True, Jay-hawking was rather annoying, but it might have been worse, when the spirit of guerrillaism sprung up in Dyer, then we fared badly. There have been three little fights in Dyer, which for a while seemed to restore order, but when the Federal army went further south in to Missippy, we were again annoyed by bands. You have no doubt heard of Forrests Raid into Gibson, destroying the R.R. burning a vast amount of property. The Dept's [depots] were all burned [barred?], the Citizens guns been taken by the Federals. They were all burned up. A considerable effort was made to enforce "the conscript," but very few went with them; The Federals have again got the control, they are very much exasperated, their requirements are much more rigid. They are living on the citizens. They will have the cars running through again in a very few days. We hope then to be somewhat relieved. Forest got away safely tho lossed many of his horses and men, and several cannons.

[¶ ] We have no means of news from the wars, only through the Northern papers, to which you have easier access than we. How many of our dear friends have fallen at our Old Murphreesborough God only knows. We learn Eddy died after they left Tupalo, perhaps in Alabama. Locke [McCorkle] went with them to Ky. and the last certain news was, he was left at Georgetown sick. The Northern papers give a list of names of sick southern soldiers, who died in Harrodsburg Ky. among whom, there is a L.J. [L.Q?] McCorkle. It is not impossible for it to be L.L., that would make it Locke.

[¶ ] Our health has been good this winter. James [Scott McCorkle, my son] is married to Miss Clemment of Weakly Co. They are in the Office in our yard, have charge of the Academy 55 scollars. She has a sister boarding with in taking lessons on the Piana. Sue [a daughter, Sue McCorkle ?] has been studying only three months and can perform respectably. You will excuse me for getting her a Piana. They expect to have an examination exhibition and concert the 30th and 31. Inst. [instance, that is, January 30th & 31st ]. Uncle Lem's [Lemuel Scott 's] James is dead. David's Marg. also. [David Purviance McCorkle's wife Margaret Scott is dead, also.] David has 2 children, boy & girl.

[¶ ] I have placed a marble stone at Howard's head & feet, his name, age, & death–and whose son he was. We have some of his hair and will enclose it to you. I would send you a copy of his last letter to Sue but she is not here and I can't get it, but you shall have it if the way keeps open.

[¶ ] John's [John Edwin McCorkle 's] health is stil very bad. [John E. McCorkle had contracted dysentery at the Columbus, Ky., battlefield.] Finis [A. McCorkle] & Tina [McCorkle, later Mrs. John Gregory] will live with David [their uncle, David Purviance McCorkle; evidently Finis & Tina's parents had died: Jane Maxwell Thomas McCorkle & Edwin Alexander McCorkle]. Lizza Reaves [Lizzie McCorkle Reeves, Mrs. Hiram Reeves, who removed to Gadsden, near Humboldt, Gibson County, Tennessee] has a fine Son. None of our connection in Gibson or Dyer are in the army unless it is Locke [Locke McCorkle].

[¶ ] From what little observation I have been able to make I conclude the mass of those who are at home, are opposed to the war. As to the justice of the war, or its probable termination, every one has his own opinion.

[¶ ] The time was once, when we could boast of the freedom of speech, but it's not prudent here to express too strongly, ones proclivities either way.

[¶ ] My opinion has not in the least changed. But let the termination be as it may, and when it may, our beloved country is ruined. Why is it that the many will be ruled and ruined by the few? "A Nation divided against its self" is obliged to fall. The bearer is waiting.

May God bless you sister

                                                                                RAH Mc Corkle.

Elmira S. Roache )