Cumberland Gap, Tenn. April 28th 1863 

Dear Father and Mother 

As I can get no letters from home to revive or divert the weary mind, I thought I would put in a few leisure moments in penning you a few lines. Notwithstanding I have nothing to communicate... 

I have not had an opportunity of going up on the Mountain to see our fortifications. Yet to sit in my tent and view those lofty summits of the "old Cumberland," to see the different red mounds thereon, Tents setting by Craggy rocks and bluffs in every direction all tell us that death and destruction would be dealt to an advancing foe. We have no war news, everything seems to be still... 

I am moderately well pleased with our situation. I would prefer being in a country where we could have access to the luxuries of country produce. But we cannot expect to live in clover all the time. Since writing the above we have drawed meal, bacon & rice. This is Robisons & Campbells day to cook. They have dinner and Supper almost ready (for we take both together). James Roane is gone with a dispatch to Hardin Ky.  Gen. Marshall is sleeping over there somewhere... 

Write soon. I hope to get some letters today. Your devoted Son, 

Seth H. Hyatt