Camp Near Ringgold Georgia Apr 3^rd 1864

 

Dear Brother,

                                    Your long looked for though welcome letter bearing date, Centerville Feb 6^th 1864 was rec'd this afternoon and I haste to return a reply. I had been looking for a letter from you for some time as I had written two more besides the one which you have answered of Oct 6^th, one while at home last Feb, and another from this place about two weeks ago. I rec'd a letter from home a few days past. Mother says she got a letter from you and will send it to me to read. Those are all that I know of at present. Your letter is postmarked at New York March 28^th, and the following stamp on the top of the envelop. Paid, Wells Fargo & Co. over our California and coast routes Boise mines—Paid 30^cts. If I understand the rates of postage are 3 cts. to any part of the United States and Territory. Yet their is some mistery why you do not get letters more regular I suppose you have heard before this that our Reg't was reinlisted for three year or during the War, at least I wrote to you about it if you rec'd the letter, if not I will tell you all about it the next time I write. 

 

On our return to the field we arrived at Chattanooga on the 29^th Feb We stoped at Chattanooga untill the 5^th March and then moved to this place. It is about 20 mile from here to Chattanooga the railroad is open through. Since we are here we have pretty good times. We have to do Picket duty about once a week, have plenty to eat and wear. Our Reg't numbers about eight hundred and fifty. Since we are recruited, among the recruits in our Company of your acquaintenance are John Relue, Joseph Relue & Henry Rodenburger. The old Boys from Independence are all with us except John Widenhamer who was left in the Invalid Corps at Columbus Ohio. One by the name of Noah Hull from Independence who belongs to our Company got married to Rachel Rose while we were at home on furlough. I saw the two Miss Parrys while at home they are both teaching school in our neighborhood. School marms are plenty nowdays as the men have all gone to war. There have been but few marriges since we first left home, the girles say they would rather be old maids than to marry Secesh. Lucy Williman is weded to the crooket footed Hilesburn, another Williman girl is joind to Jacob Sturm. I understand since we left home that Thomson sold out to Al Widenhamer, including the Aulshouse farm which Thomsom had lately bought. Abells has rented his store to Woodward and will pay his attention to farming for the present. / L. Waters has sold out to Mrs Limanstall and moved to mud Creek above Defiance, where his second better-half has a piece of land on which he settled. Horace is in the Army in the 48^th Reg't O.V.I. Old Mrs Morse bought Metzes place at Independence and Metz moved to Defiance. Monroe Morse is with us. Ed Luetz has got to be Second Lieutenant in our Reg't. William Morse was home on a visit while we were on furlough. I believe he has since returned. He is to my notion a real Gentleman.

 

Our Folks will get their land paid up this spring with what money I give them and the tobacco which they have to sell. Philip is making rather slow progress at the farming business. Yet they do not have to go hungry. Branchers folks have quite a spell of sickness this spring. Mr Brancher has been sick most of the winter, he is getting old. Aulshouse is going to move to Michigan next fall some twenty mile from Toledo. Blaine Elliott is not with us now he was drafted for nine months and was discharged when his time was up last fall at Winchester Tenn. I saw him when I was at home on furlough. Joseph Wileys time has expired he is in the 100 Reg't, nearly a year.

 

How much longer we shall stop here, I am unable to tell. I suppose that since U. S. Grant has been made Comander in Chief of the Army of the United States, there will be hasty measures taken to crush their Rebellion. We are in the northern part of Georgia next to Tennessee, about 700 750 mile from here to Defiance. /

 

Spring is rather slow making its appearance We have had but little warm weather since we returned to the field. the wind is blowing to night and it going to rain. Concerning your coming home next fall I just say do as you think best. Use your own judgement you know best yourself. Although you have been trying long enough what is the use of working all your life time in the gold regions when perhaps you might do better at home. I hope you will make up your mind to come home next fall.

 

I cannot tell how long it will be before I shall get home again. I believe I have written all that will interest you this time.

 

If you were in the army you could have plenty correspond the girles all write to the Soldiers.

                                                                                   

Write as soon as coveinent

the mail is going out and I must stop writing

                                                                                   

From Your

Affectionate Bro—

William

 

Address

Co. G.

38^th Reg't O.V.V.I.

3^rd Brigade

3^rd Division

14^th Army Corps

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