Head Quarters Post Franklin

Camp McMillan Dec 28^th 1863

 

Dear Mother

                        As usual the mail did not come without bringing me a letter and two bundles of papers from Father which I shall peruse with great pleasure Lizzies letter was quite interesting but she says that it has been three weaks since you have received one from me. the letter must not come or something must be matter for I write home every letter I receive. at least once a weak. It appears that all the girls are getting married and by the time my service expires there wont be meany left but I dont care much about that.

 

Little Sarah is a curious little girl and I should like to see her very much and little Johnnie and the rest. You know that our regiment has been filled up with conscripts to serve for a period of three years. and we have only about a year to serve, so the government is offering us a chance to renlist for three years, two years after this last year with a bounty of $402.00       $150.00 is paid down to us at enlistment, and the rest by installments every six months with a furlough of 30 days after we arrive in the state. I have not seen the full particulars of it yet but shall know about it in a day or two for the consideration of which there will be given two days to consider upon the offer is pretty tempting, and the idea of going home to see our friends and the bounty and all makes it more so. and on the other hand we have only about a year to serve, and if you reenlist to look ahead to three years more. that dont look nice after looking back on the last two years served. I hardly know what to do about it. if I had time to consider with you upon it I should like it, but anyhow I am going to see what the majority does about it. I don’t think this war is going to last three years longer, but as we are cavalry we will be more likely to stay our three years out even if it does close. we shall have to scour the country of gurillars and sculking rebels. so it looks as well one way as it does the other almost I don’t know as they would reenlist me again on account of my leg. but I think I will see the Surgeon about it.—guess that will do about reenlisting, but it is a serious and a hard matter to decide upon. and I dont know as I could do eny better than accept of the offer.

 

Father papers were interesting, three Boston Heralds, and Gospel Banner and about a dozen Advocates and Vingettes I guess they were Universalist papers.

 

It will be no use to go to Concord to see Col Fearing as he is out here in command of the Regt. and evan if he was I dont believe he would do anything for you.

 

I have written to Mary Jane and Mrs Trefethen and I dont want to write to the former any more. I shouldnt this time only I could not help it very well after the favor she did me (she didnt answer it). I have not got my horse yet and I dont want one. I cannot either march or ride and I dont know what they will do with me. It has been some time since I have done any duty, and I should think they would do something pretty soon; There is no news of importance about here all that is done in the Regt. is drilling and guarding forage trains.

 

My brains are turned upside down all-most about what I have written I wish there had not anything been said about it. I think I must close. give my love to all

 

                                                            from your affect Son

                                                                        Reuben

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