May 29^th 1865

 

                                    Dear Frankie:

                                                I was much disappointed in not getting my leave of absence so as to visit home. It has not come yet, & I rather think now it will not come. As I have applied to be mustered out for good, it would not be best for me to come home until I hear from the application. I guess I can get out within a couple of weeks any way. If I have to stay I shall submit gracefully, “as meek as any lamb.” Indeed if I was sure of being well I should be willing to remain in the service as long as they chose to hold me. Four dollars & one third per day is a great temptation. The gov-/ernment is now oweing me over four hundred dollars, besides the three months extra pay, which is three hundred dollars more. Rations are not included. I ought to have seven hundred dollars if I was discharged to day. Then may be some delay & trouble about getting the $300, though I do not see how they can get out of paying it. It is said the paymaster will be around this week. “Hope defered makes the heart sick.” Still the money will come some day, & is accumulating rapidly. If we could get the whole $700 it would be much more money than we have ever had before at once, & would enable us to get com-/fortably fixed in our new home at Marys Landing, or in the far West.

 

            We were ordered to move over the river this morning, but the citizens of Georgetown petitioned to have us stay here, & seem to have been successful. Sherman’s army is on this side, & they are a lawless set of men, & plunder & steal wherever they can. Two Brigades of our Corps were called on night before last to quell a riot among them. We killed four of their men before they would come to terms, & lost one killed. Our Corps has a good reputation for obedience. It is rumored that Gen. Sherman is under/arrest, & this is one of the reasons that make his men so bad.

 

            My health is getting all right again, but I am not entirely free from the Rheumatism. Your likeness, & that of Charlie, are before me most of the time when I am in my room. Both are good, & natural—You & Ma must keep right on writeing, for it is by no means certain that I can get out of the service. It is much easier to get into a tight place than to get out. Uncle Sam can hold me two years, eight months & twenty five days if he choses—Who cares?—He has got to pay me $130 per month any way. He will have the worst of the bargain.

 

                                                            Yours &c—

Hal—

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