Spruce Pine, Alabama August 29, 1910
"Editor Vidette: I am just in receipt of yours of the 18th and will do the best I can to answer your letter as to the sketch of my brother who was killed near Iuka. He was not killed in the battle of Shiloh as stated in the Franklin Times, but was mortally wounded in a skirmish with Col. Cornyn's 8th Kansas Cavalry, otherwise known as the "Jayhawkers", and afterwards died. My brother, Nimrod A. Underwood volunteered in Company L of the Fourth Alabama Cavalry at Cherokee in August, 1862. He was 18 years old when he volunteered. John C. Nelson was captain of the company when he was killed and Newsom was Captain when he volunteered. Company L with others of Fourth Alabama was ordered to Glendale where the Federals had a lot of stock and clothing which the Confederates run in and captured and started back to Cherokee, the Federals following them to about one and one-half miles from Iuka on Sulphur Springs Rd. where the Confederates halted and a skirmish ensued. My brother was shot just above the hip bone and lodged just above the other hip bone. By some of his comrades he was carried to Mrs. Anderson's. I don't know whether she was a widow or not but any how right here I want to thank her and all of her family for her kind treatment to my brother and also Dannel Herman and family, a Dutchman, a tailor that was well known in your town. May all those good people of Iuka be rewarded in heaven is my prayer. He was shot on the 8th day of July, 1863, and died on the 12th day of July, 1863. My mother went to his bedside at once. When he was told he was going to die he said to mother, "I am going for a good cause, carry me home to bury me." He was brought home by Dannel Herman and buried in the Nauvoo cemetery and there remains to answer the roll call of the mighty beyond." --- J. J. Underwood
(Source: Jack Walker, submitted by Richard C. Sheridan of Sheffield, Alabama)