Camp 20^th Conn Vols.

Tantallon Tenn.

April 3^d 1864

           

My Dear Parients,

                     Yours of the 24^th March I recieved yesterday and will now try and answer. There is no truth at all in the story about our coming home to join the Burnside expedition I think if we move at all twill be to the front. I was somewhat surprised to hear of cousin Doras marriage so soon. I dont know about corresponding with another mans wife. Should like a piece of the cake firstrate. I wish her joy. I should like to see Fred Wilet at work on a farm if he is out of business / why dont he enlist. Uncle Samuel will give him employment although he does not pay very good wages. The Rebs have never troubled us at all. They know better of course I am sorry father is at so much trouble to get those figures. I thought he could get them at Middletown. Is Aunt Smith in the Union lines now? I should think she would come North if she is. There is not much news from the Army to write all is quiet there are veterans passing through here every day having been home on thirty days furlough and are now going to the field again. Preperations are being made for a rigorous spring campaign. I think by / next fall the Rebs will be about "played out" as the boys say. at least I hope so for if I live through this summers campaign I should like to be at home.

 

Tomorrow the Union men of old Conn. will vote for Buckingham of course he will be elected Portland will go secesh of course. But the state will give him a rousing majority I hope. To-night is dark and stormy a regular thunder storm and the lightning is very bright. and it is so warm there is no need of a fire. Henry Goodrich is not very well has a hard cold and it has settled in his head. He is troubled with the ear-ache considerable and tonight he has a little fever— / But I hope he will not be sick. The weather is now quite warm grass is getting up considerably the peach trees are in full bloom around the farmers houses.

 

            When you write next please send me a little red pepper it very good to put in a canteen of water when on the march and when the water is bad and I suppose when we get to the front we will not get good water at all times Send a little in every letter for a few weeks and I can carry it along with me. twas real good last summer I used to get it of the other boys and tis good to make a tea of when we have a hard cold such as we are apt to catch when sleeping on the ground after leaving our tents.

 

But I cannot write more now. Your aff son Henry.

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