Camp 20^th Conn Vols. Co D.

Tantallon Tenn.

April 9^th 1864

           

My Dear Parients,

                   Yours of the 31^st March I recieved two days since and have now found time to answer. No news of importance. I do not hear much said about our moving now. Our Corps Gen^l Henry W. Slocum, one of the best Maj. Genls in the service has left us he has gone to Vicksburg, Miss. to take a command there. He is trying to get leave to take his old Corps with him. I wish he could for I have much faith in him I would follow where he led no matter how dangerous the path might be. He is a Christian, temperate man and / the men all love him. He rode along the lines when we were going into battle at Gettysburg. Then the men were silent each one buisy with his own thoughts, but no sooner did he make his appearance than every cap was lifted and "Hurrah for Gen. Slocum" ran like wild fire along the lines and caught up by every one officers and privates was prolonged into one grand Hurrah and twas kept up as long as he could be seen. He was next to Gen. Mead in command at Gettysburg and Gen Mead thought much of Gen Slocums opinion. Tis said the 11^th and 13^th corps are to be consolidated to be called the first Corps Army of the Cumberland. if that is true we may see hard fighting this summer for you know Joe Hooker is a fighting man / and he is to command us. I recieved the figures all right they are just what I wanted Some of the boys in our company know Mr Brainerd as they are from Haddam, and say he was slightly copper when we left home but I guess he is Union now fast enough. I am looking for that wedding cake quite anxiously now. Be sure and send me the paper with Aunt Smith's letter if you can get it. Tell father to buy the whole of the Williams estate if he can I will be at home in 16 more months if alive and help work it, and do a staving business though a man could get rich twice farming down here in this country while a man at home was thinking / about it. But I believe after all I should prefer old Conn. twould seem more like home. Enclosed I send Lt Gen. Grants photograph it looks very much like him. I have seen him once. We heard of the Conn election night before last Buckingham elected!! 5653 majority!! Glory Hallelujah!! The right man in the right place. Send me a piece of elastic some time I want a piece about 5 inches long to put around my needle book as the elastic which came with it is worn out. I am always wanting something. but nothing more at present as I can recollect. But I cannot write more now

 

Write often     

 

With much love to all

I remain Your aff son

Henry.

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