No 2 in Jan.

Head Quarters Co 'E' 38 Wis Vol Infty

Before Petersburg Va. January 21^st 1865

 

My Dear Uncle,

                        I received yours of the 12 inst the other evening was very glad to find that you were improveing. it also contained news which at first surprised me, then ashamed and vexed. Did I ever tell you what George said he would do to me while in Madison? If you recollect right he did not know any thing about my promotion untill he saw me there. Well when the 3^rd Cav. came home I went down to the depot to see if George was with them. I saw severall of the boys who told me he was left behind and that he would not be there under two weeks, so I gave up of seeing him one evening about a week afterwards just as I was going in my boarding house to tea, who should come along but George. he did not stop but said he wanted to see me a moment. I went with him and I was disappointed. he did not seem glad to see me but commenced to blame me you and / with myself with every body else on account of my promotion. I firmly told him he talked as if I had no right to a promotion &c. then he said he was glad &c. then I tried to have him come in and take tea with me but he would not so I told him after supper I would meet him in the park so I went there and we had a long talk. I told him it was nothing but pride that made him feel so towards me. he said that he could not stand my promotion over him, that he could never go home and meet any body that knew him. Then he wanted to know if there was not some chance for him. I told him that there was no chance by appointment by the Gov. but that I could get him a recruiting commission in my Regt. so I did. I went to the Colonel and got him to go to the Gov. and George got his recruiting commission. I told him to work hard and that I would help him all I could to get 30 men so he could get a 1^st Lieut's. commission. It was for that purpose that I visited Appleton where he was there but I saw at once that he was not trying to help himself and of course I could do nothing. / I talked severall times with him about it but he would promise but they did not amount to much. he told me there in Madison that if he did not succeed he would desert—that he would never remain in the Army so long as I held a position higher than he did, and he seemed to think that I should do everything and what I could not do was my own fault and that I did not want to do.

 

            You recollect the stories he told about then it almost worried me to death, but I could not help it. I dont know what in the world to do. I have thought of resigning and comeing home and finish my studies but now I cannot there in Appleton. I shall stay here and run the  risks of another terrible campaign and do what I can to deserve promotion and prehaps I may get it.

 

            About the land I dont know what to do. I should like very much to get it if it would pay. how much are the taxes on it. can thre not can not there be a division of the property? what would his share be worth and can it be sold to any one unless he knows of it. would it not be better to / let his share be sold for taxes and you buy it the tax deeds for me. could the Government do any thing with it then? If you think that I had better have some one buy it for me had I not better write to Mr Ballard and have him do it for me? I have not been payed off yet but hope Ive will before long. there is four months pay due me but there are all of my expenses to come out of it and it dont leave much. Do you know whether G— has been reported as a deserter yet or not? where did he desert from. tell me all that you know about it and tell me what you think I ought to do in this matter. what should you do about the property. if there is any thing that can be done to save it do it. how much was the tax on the land on account of that bounty money raised to pay for men to fill up the quota from the City. I dont think it hardly right that I should pay 75 or 100 dollars tax to pay for men to go in place of some of those who are too cowardly to go but if it is the law it must be obeyed, but that law is not right. there are citys and towns that do not tax the property of men who are in the army for that purpose. I may have a chance to get a leave of absence some time in February. I shall try prety hard. I would like to come and see what could be done.

 

            Aunt asks whether I am acquainted with Sergt Lockhart—he is the same Lockhart that went to school there in A. when I did, am very well acquainted with him. he was in to see me yesterday and I spoke of his wife being in to see you. he is a fine fellow and is thought very much of here in the Regiment and Quartermasters Dept. I am waiting anxiously for my hat and diary the hat I have now is entirely worn out and I came /

 

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near sending to City Point after one, but I will have to pay about 8 dollars for one that is worth wearing. Diarys cannot be had here so I will have to wait shall look every day for it, also the hat. It commenced to rain last night quite hard and to freeze at the same time, which makes it very cold and disagreeable out. Men will suffer out on picket tonight. I was on the other evening had quite a talk with a rebel Major. the pickets are very friendly now, haveing established a truce over a week ago and not a shot has been fired by our Regt since the men get out of their pits on both sides and talk to each other almost the whole time. the two picket lines are not 10 rods apart. we have been fixing up our lines considerable. There is a report around that there has been quite a fight on the left heavy artillery fireing was heard in that direction last night and this morning. it is supposed that Lee made the attack. we have heard no details very likely you have seen in the proceedings of Congress where numerous petitions from Officers in the army for an increase of pay. there was a petition put up signed by every officer in each Corps but they have taken no action on it. The House passed the bill but it was killed in the Senate. Good many officers are leaving on that account. they cannot make enough to pay expenses and support their families. it costs me allmost 25¢ per day and that with poor liveing. /

I have not heard from Menasha for some time. I dont know what is the matter with Sarah, she has never waited so long before. There must be trouble there prehaps I will get one to night. I wish I could hear from James. I shall write to him one of these days. dont forget and send me home papers I look for them quite anxiously. I am glad to see Uncle get along so well. as it is most supper time I will have to close this very lengthy letter. hopeing that it will find you all enjoying once more that greatest of blessings—health.

                                                                       

Write as soon as you can to

Yours truly

Frank.

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