No 19.

Camp near Murfreesboro, Tenn.

June 11^th 1863

 

Dear Friends.

                        I have just come off from guard & as I hear that Mr Johnson is going to start for Appleton to day I thought that I would write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. Yesterday there was a detail made on our Regiment for Grand Guard and brigade guard as I was the first one for duty I had to go on brigade guard while the rest of the boys had to go on picket. we all had a wet time of it for it commenced to rain when we were mounting guard & we have had it off & on ever since. last night I took my old rubber blanket to lay on & my oil cloth to cover over me. about one oclock it commenced to rain but it did not wake me up. I dont care how hard it may rain now but what I can lay down any where & sleep as well as if I was in a nice feather bed some where else.

 

            There was a brigade of troops found their way down here that came with Burnside from the east. they were in his corps at the fight of Antietam. from there they went into western Virginia & from there they came into Kentucky & then they was sent down here. I see by the papers the the 9^th / Army Corps (the corps that Gen. Burnside fetched with him from the east) have been sent down to reinforce Gen Grant. there has been considerable talk about our division being sent down there it may be that we will be sent down there but I hardly think that they want can to spare any from here. it was also rumored through camp that Burnside was comeing here with his army & this brigade that came through say that he is not over 50 miles from here. I heard some news day before yesterday. I went over to the 21 & saw Mr Johnson & he said they saw Dr Beach who is in the 8 Kansas. they have been stationed at Nashville / since we have been here but they have been along with us for over six months & I never found it out. as soon as I can find out where they are camped I will go over & see the Doctor. I dont hardly think that he will remember me as it is so long since he left Appleton & then I was young & smaller from what I am now.

 

I have sent another package of letters that I have received, which I would like to have you put with those that I sent you some time ago. our boys have not got in yet from picket. it is raining hard but it is nothing new for a Soldier to be out in the wet. I received a letter from Cousin Sarah yesterday. she says she wants to visit you very much but she has so much work on hand that she has not time but says the first chance she gets she will go down & visit you. the folks are all /

 

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well at Menasha. When she wrote she is well, but not in very good spirits. James is well & doing finely all the boys are in first rate humor & wish to be doing something. but I must close love to all at home. write soon. have you heard from George yet?

                                                                                                                       

Yours as ever

Frank.

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