Head Quarters 1^st Brig. 2^d Div. 14^th A.C.

                                                                                    Near Rossville Geo.

                                                                                                Feby. 28^th. 1864.

 

Dear Sallie

                        Your letter of the 15^th has been received, also one of the 7^th since I wrote you. Tuesday I went to Chattanooga and had brothers remains taken up placed in a metalic case and expressed to L. E. Worcester Whitehall Greene Co. The body left Chattanooga Wednesday noon. I writing to both Spence & Worcester that it had done so. I feel rejoiced that I have accomplished it so soon. I was fearful lest we should be ordered away, or something, and I felt as though I could not leave the neighborhood until I had done it. I assure you a weight of anxiety has been taken off my mind and only wait to / hear of its safe arrival to feel perfectly at ease and content to go anywhere that the fortunes of war may take me.

 

            I wrote Spence that the Brigade left their camp at this place on Tuesday (the same day I went to Chattanooga) to go out front on a reconnoissance. They with the Div. ran across the rebels out there as the enclosed circular “extra” will show you. The extra is in the main correct. Lt. Col. Dickerson 10^th Mich. was wounded and fell into the enemys hands. The 10^th Mich & 60^th Ills were all the regiments of General Morgans Brigade that he had with him. The others having gone home as veterans. Both of those regts had been mustered into the veteran service but had not yet received their furlough north.

 

            The Brigade returned to their old camp at this place last / evening. To day the 16^th came back reporting at this place. The boys all look well and hearty. Many of them were married while home Dr. Ritchey and Al. Gordon among them. Dr Ritchey an Edgefield Tenn. girl & Al. Gordon “Minty Welch”.

 

            The regiment has about three hundred new recruits, among those to Co. “D.”, I shook hands with Bill M^cLellan & Ja^s W. Githens.

 

            The 16^th you see was again lucky, not being here until to day of course was not in the reconnoissance.

 

            What on earth you can have for a surprise for me on my return is more than I can tell, that should have taken so long for its preparation—“almost a year” you tell one. / What can it be?

 

            I received two “short hand” letters by the mail of this evening from my correspondents before named.

 

            Col Smith is back with the regiment, whether or not he will stay longer than the 24^th of May, I have not heard. The old Colonel is looking well. I have not seen Col Cahill yet. The 60^th Ills. & 10^th Mich go home in a few days, on furlough

 

            Give love to all as usual. Kiss the nephews and nieces and take good care of that “surprise.” I will write you again soon.

                                                                        Ever with love

                                                                                    Affectionately

                                                                                                Frank

SOURCES