[Letterhead: Head-Quarters, Department of the Cumberland,

Office Provost Marshal General,]

                                                                                    Murfreesboro’ March 20^th [1863.]

 

Dear brother/

                        Your’s of 16^th is at hand.—The more children, such a good woman & mother, as aunt Ellen is, brings up, the better;—I am glad, that “mother & child is doing well”,—nothing, like getting used to a thing;—by George, it is about time, that comely phrase could be applied to “your family”,—what, the d__l do you mean? must I come home & get the start of you? ah, if this war was only over!—as Nieman told me this morning, on my enquiry as to his “folks” at home;—it being uppermost in his mind, he said with smiling countenance “first rate,—she is well & getting “fat”;—further, deponent sayeth not, but refers to Mrs Sarah B. Gilbert for a certain knowledge of existing affairs.—I do not presume, you have any fears of being drafted,—should it occur,—you have physical faults enough, to be returned to your home;—let them try you,—take of your specs & you could’nt tell a stump from a cow, 6 feet from you.—The moving of our household traps has “bored” me a good deal;—I felt confident, your help would not be wanting, if business permitted you & I thank you for your attention & assistance.—If Sarah will find the Roberts pleasant folks to be with, she has made a good choice & bargain as to rent; I know nothing about the rooms up stairs, but believe, she will be/comfortable; they have always been very pleasant,—but how they are on closer inspection I know not.—It is not among the impossibilities of the “times” that Wiles may find some business for me to do, out “West” & if I should slip in Rockford by chance ‘ere long, it would be a matter, I very much desire;—I do not speak of anything I know (that is only too honest), but from what, I am trying to accomplish.

 

            Lieut. Morrel’s arrival here yesterday, took us all by storm;—Col. Marsh kept it well to himself, otherwise he Morril could not have taken them so by surprise;—I am getting so used to wrong, injustice & favoratism without any merit,—that I have ceased to say anything more, but it is very hard to subdue the rebellious feelings against such work,—bah!—Capt. Douglas will be a frequent visitor to your store & will give you all the news, there is round here,—I know of but very little. The concentration of the rebel army in our front seems to be generally credited, but little known to outsiders; that they are getting bolder every day is a well known fact & if they would only come and offer fight, it would be heartily wellcomed. The army is in best of spirits,—in good health & in A No.1 fighting condition; hundreds of soldiers arrive daily from homes, hospitals, convalescent camps &c & fill up the ranks; we have a larger army to day, than we had when we left Nashville on the 26^th day of Decr.—It is supposed, that Rockwell has gone home;—not knowing that & with the possibility in view, that he may come here any day & want the $20⁰, I hold on to it, till I hear positively about it,—I wish, you would let me know & as soon as possible.—Love to Lona.—

 

Ever    Your affectionate brother

                                                                                                                        Edward.

 

[top margin: The 74^th has actually got paid of to day; the boys waited a long time for it.]

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