No 21

Camp near Murfreesboro, Tenn.

June 23^d 1863

 

Dear Friends.

                        Not being buisy this afternoon I thought that I would write a few lines to you, as it may be the last for some time.

 

            This morning I came off from picket about 10 oclock at noon we received orders for two days rations in our haversacks & ten in the wagons & be ready to march tomorrow morning. it is rumored that the right wing or 20 Army Corps started to day & it is gennerally believed that we are going to make a forward movement we are all ready. All of the sick are being sent back to Hospitall all of the rest of the army are ready / and anxious to move forward.

 

The army east has moved but did not do any thing. now they are threatened with an invasion. Gen Grant with his "western boys" are doing a good work & we all feel that it is time for us to be on a move again we have layed here in camp for six months, the longest that the old Army of the Ohio or of the Cumberland ever did before, in fact it has never layed in camp for two months. It can not be said of any department of the "west" that they have been in camp 12 months "getting ready" to move. when we move we dont intend to come back unless we are thoroughly whiped & that Bragg cannot do as long as we have "Old Rose" at our head to manage affairs.

 

            This afternoon I happened to run across his photograph and as I / thought you would like to have his picture I got it. It dont look like him now as he has shaved all of his whiskers off. this was taken I guess before the battle as he was not wore in whiskers then, but it looks like "Old Rose" "Maj. Gen. Comdg. Dept. of Cumberland"

 

            After all this may not be any thing more than a move to draw the attention of Gen Bragg & keep him from sending heavy reinforcements to Gen Johnson at Vicksburg. the rebels have been pitching again at Franklin, prehaps they are going to make a move against this place under the belief that we have sent a large portion of our army down to Grant, but they will be mistaken. but I am guessing too many plans. any of us dont know what we are going to do. we / may not march at all. our orders are to be ready to march in the morning, all we have to do is to be ready & if the word comes start off.

 

            It is curious that I dont get any mail from you. I have not recd only one letter from you this month. I look for one every day I some times think that you are sick & then I know if all are not so one would write, but I shall wait. now if we go off on a long march you must not expect to hear from me very often. I shall try to write once a week but there may be times that I cannot write once a month. the mail comes through regular. boys get letters through from home in four days so nothing can be the trouble with the mail, but it is getting dress parade time & I must close. write soon & often as you can. dont wait for one from me because it may be I cannot write & there is nothing a soldier likes to receive more than a letter from friends at home while he is on a long weary march. but good by write soon                                                                         

Frank.

 

[front margin & overwritten]

 

Give my best respects to all friends. love to all at home. all of the boys are buisy writeing home. who knows but what this will be the last chance for thousands to write a few words to their dear friends at home. it may be my last. I hope & trust not, but I dont have any say about it. If he sees fit to take me this will be my last so good by once more

Frank

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