Decatur Ala

                                                                                                                        May 10^th 1864

 

My own dear Fannie

                                    This is a very stormy evening and just a good time for writing letters, so I will commence by writing you first, and then to some of my friends at home. I am very comfortably situated for a soldier this stormy evening. I believe I wrote you in my last that we had built us a little house twelve feet by sixteen. it has two doors and two glass windows and a very good roof so that on such a night as this when the storm is rageing without we can just set in-doors and imagine ourselves enjoying all the comforts of home, though I miss the faces of the loved ones there. we have added an-other source of comfort to ourselves, in the shape of a very demure old Cow, so that our table is supplied with nice fresh milk every day. we bought her from an officer / who left here soon after we came for five dollars and she has more than paid for herself already. perhaps you think we are getting to be rather grand but we dont feel very big. but what troubles me most now is that the worthy Govenor of Wisconsin perhaps thinking to confer a special favor on me for my good or bad deeds has promoted me from a second Lieutenancy in good old Company “F” to a first Lieutenancy in Company “E” of this Reg^t and this too just as we had got our house done, so that I have now got to moove my head Quarters to company “E” and forsake all the comforts I have just been boasting of. my commission as First. Lieut came this morning and I shall report for duty to-morrow morning. my promotion was rather unexpected to me and probably was meant as a supprise. the Colonel said nothing to me whatever on the subject. I had heard it hinted around but nothing definite. I have not sought promotion but have always gone on the principle that I would do my duty in whatever position I was placed to the best of my ability, and I believe that is the best way for a soldier to do /

 

We have a rumor aflat here in camp of three days fighting between Grant and Lee that Grant is thus far victorius and that Lee is falling back on Richmond. if Grant is only successful (which he will be) and gains a complete victory over Lee then dear Fannie I shall begin to think that the day light begins to show its-self. we of the western army know what kind of a man Grant is, that when he fights he fights to win. I for one dont care how soon the war closes. if it is tomorrow, the first thing I would do would be to start directly for Weyauwega to see my dear little Fannie, for I want to see her you dont know how much. wont it be a happy day Fannie when this war is ended and we can all go home to stay there if we choose with those we love. it seemes to me that it will be one long continuous day of happiness then, and I tell you Fannie we shall know how to appreciate it, who have been seperated so much and yet needed so much each other to make us happy. but my dear Fannie I must close so good night. pleasant dreams and a lot of kisses from Your Afect

                                                Frank

 

P.S. Please direct as before only substituting

            Company “E” for “F”

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