Washington, D.C.

May 17^th 1865

Major General G. Weitzel,

Commanding 25^th Army Corps

            In the Field, Va.

 

            General,

It is with a feeling of the profoundest gratitude, that I acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed letter of the 10^th inst. which only reached me to-day. I can only regret that circumstances would not allow me to do more in forwarding the noble cause of the bloody conflict, which, if I am allowed to say so, ended too soon for me. I part with the sincerest regret from the american army. The short time I had been serving under the star-spangled banner will be for life time / one of the most pleasant and interesting times of my soldier-life. With the recollection of those days, so many names will be associated of comrades and brothers in arms, but their will be only very few names, I shall remember with such thankful feelings as that of the present commander of the 25^th Army Corps.

 

            If ever in your travels in Germany your path should lead you to my native town, I should feel highly honored if I could be of any service to you and if I should not be there the house of my father, as well as those of my uncles—one of whom is Lt. General the other a Colonel—would be ever open to you and they all would be happy to make your stay there as agreable as possible

 

            Allow me once more to express my feelings of gratitude towards you, with which I shall ever remain, General

                                                                                   

Your obedient servant

W. von Bechtold

late Capt. 45^th U.S. Col. Troops

Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of

Hesse-Darmstadt

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