Head Qurs Co 'E' 38 Wis Vol

Feb. 8. 1865

 

My Dear Uncle,

                        Your kind letter was received by me this evening and I hasten to answer it. I also received one a short time ago from Aunt but have not had time to answer yet.

 

            In regard to that matter I will try and do as you say but it will be hard work for me even to get a leave of absence. prehaps I may succeed in getting one for 20 days, but then that is such a short time to go up to Buffalo and then home and back again. ten chances to one I might not find George. If I could, I would make some traide with him.

 

            You see the trouble lies here in my getting a leave of absence. I have got to state my business and I cannot / do it very well. I have seen the Col. but he thinks that all of the buisness I have got can be done by a third party. I told him that it was a matter that could not and that I could prove it to him, but that I could not with divulging family secrets and that would not do. then he said that I must wait awhile, and now he has gone home himself. prehaps I can do better by the Lt. Col. I will see him in the morning and if I can get it through I will.

 

            Do you think that I had better go to New York if I can get only 20 days? I am afraid that it wont be time enough. Write me as soon as received and let me know.

 

            You have before this heard of the fight on our left. we had orders to be ready to move for the last five days, but I guess now that we wont move / from here. if they get badly pushed we may have to go. Report is to night that we have 4 miles of the Southside R.R. and that Gen Warren was killed. the former is hardly believed around here, but the latter came from good source. It seems to bad that we should lose all of our good Generalls, but such is war. I had the pleasure of seeing those Peace Commissioners when they passed through our lines they came in on our front. It was quite a sight to see the whole works on both sides just covered with men. When they left the Rebel works they (the Rebs) sent up shout for "Peace" and our boys answered them back when they entered our lines. There is some cannonadeing on our right now off towards Dutch Gap—but as it is quite late I must close.

           

Excuse haste and answer as soon as possible.

                                               

Yours as ever

Frank. M. Phelps

 

J Tibbits                                              

Appleton /

 

[upside down]

 

I have received the paper envelops and hat am very well pleased much obliged.

what did the hat cost alone?                                                              

Frank.

 

PS. Do you know Georges address or anything by which I might find him

Frank

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