Camp Front chatanoga Tenn

Oct 7 1863

 

Dear Father                                                                                                    

                   it is with plesure that I take the present opportunity of droping you a few lines by which you will learn that I am well hoping these lines may find you all well.

 

well pa you are your own gardeen but if I was you I would not enter the service until I was a blege to and if you want to go in as a substitute you can git moore than he offores you tho if I was you I would not go in the service until I was ablege to go well I can just se the yankees thick in chatanoga our pickets and thern is within one hondred yards of each other they sheld each other day before yesterday most all day they have been lying still eversents til now they have commencest sheling a gain they are we have got them in a prety tiet plase

turn over 

 

I got to the Regt last evning and recieved your letter and was glad to hear from you and I recieved one from Sealy dated Sept 10 I was sorrow to hear that Jno was wounded tho I hope he will soon recover I was not in the fight at Chickmaga but I expect to be in it soon

 

So if we never meet on earth again I hope we will meet in heaven

 

I am, parrents

yours with respect

Thos. H. Riddle

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