Memphis Tennessee

                                                                                                            August 2^nd 1863

 

My Dear Fannie

                                    I suppose you are begining to think that it is time for me to write again if I am ever going to but the fact is Fannie I have had a considerable to do lately. our Clerk has gone home on a furlough and consequently I have had much more work to do than usual. I have had a very interesting time for a few days past with a severe cold in my head it kept both my hands busy to tend my nose. but thank fortune the tide has turned and I have more leasure so that I can write with one hand. Our Regiment is quite sickly at present the Surgeons report shows one hundred and forty three, and it is increasing daily. the season has been a very wet one here and on that account we are having a great deal of fever and ague sometimes men will start from camp in the morning well for picket duty and perhaps the next morning a half dozen of them will be on the sick list, shaking with the ague. I have been very fortunate thus far. I believe the sickness I had in the / spring has now proved to be a good thing for me as I have become aclimated and am not affected as those are who have not been sick.

 

            We have no news here of importance since the taking of Vicksburg &c there is not much which remains to be done in this department. whether they intend that we shall remain here all summer and do garrison duty or be ordered away is a matter of speculation I am willing to do either. perhaps they will send us to Charleston to help take that nest of Rebs. I hope so I would like to be one to help level that city to the ground I would not leave one stone upon another.

 

            Fannie since writing you before I have had a streak of luck. I have by the foolishness of some one been promoted to a Lieutenancy and am now in command of the largest company in the Reg. the Capt is on Genl Hurlbuts Staff and the first Lieut has gone home, so that I am as you say chief cook and bottle washer, with plenty to do and a good deal of responsibility. Now Fannie dear you wont scold if I dont write any more this time will you, if I promise to write again soon. I think I hear you say no. so I will just close by sending you much love and heaps of kisses from Your

 

                                                                                    Frank M Guernsey

                                                                                    2^nd Lieut Co “F” 32^nd Reg Wis Vol

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