Lafayette Tennessee

                                                                                                            January 23^rd 1864

 

My Dear Fannie

                        This is a beautiful spring morning and as warm as May at the North. one would hardley believe that one or two weeks ago stern winter with his iron hand was dealing so roughly with us, but that is now past and gone and nearly forgotten by us in the enjoyment of the present. a soldiers dread is of the future not of the past. I think that we have suffered enough this winter from cold and exposure to be entitled to the pleasant weather we are now having.

 

            We are now encamped at or near the place where we had a slight skirmish with the enemy the last of December. it is not a very pleasant place. there has been so / many soldiers encamped here that the country has been overrun and almost ruined. there is not a fence in sight consequently we have to cut our wood, a job which a soldier dislikes very much. I should think from the appearance of things that there was once quite a little town here, but all there is left now is two houses and one of them is good for nothing. I do not expect we shall stay here long. we have received orders to get ready for long and tedious marches, and to store at Memphis all of our surplus baggage. I expect that we shal go to Memphis and from there perhaps to Vicksburg and then take it on foot, the good Lord only knows where. it may be that if such is the case you will not hear from me in a long time, but I shall write every chance I get. there is great preperations being made for a very active campaign in the spring so that you need not be supprised if you hear of something breaking / loose in this Department

 

            I received a long letter from brother George a few days ago and he scolded me as usual for not writing more often. he said Mib had gone east to see her Mother who was not expected to live. he thought he should go home sometime this winter. they have filled their quota under the new draft. Mr Gordon & Stevens have enlisted. Glen received news from Ohio a few days ago of his Fathers death. he thinks he shal try and go home. if he does you will probably see him in Weyauwega. I expect Fannie dear this will proove a very dull letter to you, for I have nothing in particular to write about. every thing is in statu quo, so you must excuse all deficiencies this time. please give my regards to all and believe me as ever Yours afectionately

                                                                        Frank M Guernsey

 

P. S. Fannie won’t you all step in and take dinner with me to day. som of my boys went foraging yesterday and made me a present of two chickens a nice duck and some honey. Fannie if you come I will let you cook the fowls aint that fair, or I will cook them myself just as you think best about that

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