Headquarters, District of West Tennessee,

                                                                                                Memphis May 10^th 1863.

 

            My Dear Fannie

                                    It is sunday again, and I have just returned from a chase after some of the 14^th Ill^s boys. they had been troubling some niggers and I took a squad of men and went after them they ran when they saw us comeing but I succeeded in taking one of them and sent him to under guard to his Reg^mt where he will get his just deserts probably.

 

            We are having some very warm weather for this time of year, and the beautiful grove in which we are encamped is now worth a mint of gold to us, in the heate of the day we lounge about in the shade and pass off time the best way we can sometimes one way and sometimes another. Your welcome letter came to-day. I also received one from Judge Wheeler of Berlin and you may bet I was glad to hear from you. Then you do think of me once in a while Fanny. I though not more often than I do of you I guess. perhaps if nothing happens to prevent you may have your wish Fanny for I am going to try to get a furlough just as soon / the Co^l gets back. he is now in Wis. I suppose.

 

            Since writing the foregoing our Regmt. presents a scene both comical and sad. we have just heard that Richmond is taken and our QuarterMaster to celebrate the occasion rolled out a barrel of whiskey for the boys and the consequence is that many of them are somewhat elevated. strange work for a sabbath day you think? well so it is, but Fannie a soldier knows no difference between one day and another, and you can hardly conceive with what joy reports of the success of our arms are received with us soldier boys. there there are none of us but what the joys and comforts of our homes and the presence of our loved ones are just as dear to as to any of those northern traitors which we have left behind, and we firmly believe that every victory won, every advantage gained, is a step towards the soldiers haven of bliss, viz. the subjugation or annihilation of these inhuman Rebels. it is hardly to be wondered at then that some of them get jolly. let them enjoy themselves I say while they can for the Lord only knows when we may be sent out on another expedition simelar to the one we had last fall. then there would be trouble enough.

 

            This evening Glen^d— and myself went out to protect the property and person of a poor white woman living near camp. it was at the same / house where that fellow had been that I arrested this afternoon. we stayed until about nine oclock in the evening and then came to camp. We had losts of fun with a nigger who lives in one part of the house he was quite a Philosopher. in the course of our conversation he got to speaking of his wife. I asked him how many he ever had he said he reckoned about twenty (a few) he said the women were pretty good generally but once in a while they would get the Devil (excuse the expression) into them and there was no getting along with them.

 

            Our Reg^mt appears to be in luck. there has been another call for troops from Gen^l Grant and Gen^l Hurlburt has sent one whole Brigade to him. they took Reg^mts from each side of us and left ours here. I believe I have no very great desire to go to Vicksburg, the climate and the water is very hard on northern troops, though we can stand hardships now. But Fannie I guess I will close as it is late and I am somewhat tired. have been on duty until after nine oclock this evening. please excuse this letter for I presume that you will find it a very dull one. my regards to all your people and accept much love for yourself from

                                                                                                                        Frank

 

P.S       Fannie you must not get downhearted, for this war will soon come to an end like all things else, and then I shall come home. I should be very glad to have a picture of you that does you justice. I dont think the one I have does

 

[overleaf]

I am real

sick to day

why do you not

write. Grand

pa is going to

Ill. to shubles [?]

all well

            write

SOURCES