Tantallon Tenn March 1^st 1864

 

Dear Parents

                        Your letter has just reached me and as I am on duty to night I will write a few lines to let you know that I am well hoping this will find you the same Madame Rumor has it reported that we are bound for some expedition or other before long but I think that we shall stay here for the present untill they want our services at the front we have met with defeat in this Department Sherman has if reports are true been defeated this with Gilmores defeat in Florida is a poor commencement of a New Year we are barely able to hold our own as Johnston has with Longstreets forces 100,000 / men in front of us ready to pounce on us at any moment but soon we shall have the veterans back in the field again then with able leaders we can bid defiance to the destroyers of our country and our flag there has been fighting at the front for some days past and the cars run up to Nashville with the wounded one train of rebs captured at tunnel hill went up last evning I recd a letter from Frank to day he is not verry well I suppose you would laugh at the idea of our Regmt being orderd to New York to join Burnsides expedition but rumor has it that we have marching orders to Brooklyn and twenty days to get there in but I cant it in that light for my part I had rather stay here our time counts from the 3^rd of August 1862 so / that we are on our last half you may ask if I would reinlist I answer no let some of the stay at homes come out and try soldiering I am sorry that L reinlisted I guess he wishes he hadnt the Cromtown boys all well hoping to hear soon I will close

                                                                                   

Your affect son

George Palmer

 

March 2^nd 9 A.M.

all quiet along the lines and a verry pleasant day dont credit the story of our leaving the old Star Corps I hope not any how

                                               

goodbye and send postage stamps

George

 

[verso, another hand]

 

Geo. S. Palmer

1864 Mar 1^st

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