Grand Junction Tenn

                                                                                                            D Jan 11^th 1864

 

            Dear Fannie

                                    I am once more comfortably seated in my tent, after a very hard campaign of about five weeks, and I assure you I enjoy it. our campaign was not so hard on account of forced marches as on account of the exposure we were obliged to endure. we had no tents of any description part of the time and were without protection in the coldest weather known in this State for thirty years. I thought last winter was cold enough for this country, but it can’t compare with this. I dont know whether I told you that I froze my ears or not. they were large enough before to entitle me to a commission in a Mule Brigade, and now they will be larger enough than ever I supose. I dont much care though if the hair does not grow out on them.

 

            I have had very poor luck lately in getting letters. I have not received a letter from you in a long while. it is singular that Glen- should receive letters from home and mine be delayed on the road somewhere. Nellie wrote Glen that you often mailed your letters at the same time she did hers, so that Uncle Sam is the one to blame. I suppose that one of these days I shal get a lot of them at once then I will have a good time reading them.

 

            Fannie I have got just the nicest little horse you ever saw. he is very fast and very valuable. he was taken from a man in Memphis who offered one thousand dollars and another horse for the priveledge of keeping him. the first opportunity I have I am going to have our Photographs taken and send you. I suppose though you will admire the horse more than the rider, for of the two I think he is the best looking. I have become very much attached to him. he is so kind and gentle and still is very high spirited. he will follow me like a dog any where. I do not keep him in my tent but have as good care taken of him as possible

 

            I commenced this letter night before last but have been so busy that I have not finished it yet. we have had a great deal of company writing to do, making / out reports, Muster Rolls &c. but thank fortune we are through now, or nearly so we have only about one days work more. We are having beautiful weather to day it seemes like spring. the sun shines out so warm and the birds are chirping around our tent. only one week ago it was cold enough to freeze a fellow. Appearances seem to indicate a very lively time for us next summer I think we shall be sent to the front under Genl Grant, where we shall probably have fighting enough to do. I received a letter from Mother a few days ago she said that a cousin of ours Col. Underwood of the 33^rd Mass was very badly wounded at the battle of Chattanooga. a rifle ball struck his thigh shattering the bone very badley. he made a very brilliant charge, so that Genl Hooker in his report recomends him for promotion for his bravery. he with five hundred men charged on two thousand of Longstreets Division and put them to rout. but Fannie dear it is almost time for the mail to go out so I will close for this time please give my best regards to all your people and write me soon, accept much love

 

                                    Yours affectionately

                                                            Frank M. G

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