Decatur Ala

                                                                                                            July 24^th 1864.

 

            Dear Fannie

                                    It is saturday. no? that is a mistake. it is sunday and I have been at work most all day. I thought when I came into the service that I had got through with the Law for three years at least, but saturday I had an application to defend a member of our Reg^t who was to be tried by a Court Martial for desertion. he was very anxious that I should defend him so I finally consented and the consequence is that I have had two days pretty hard work. we got through the case yesterday, but the decission is not yet given. it has kept me writing nearley all day, so that if I should write you a pretty short letter to day you must not pout.

 

            Fannie I received a letter a few days ago from you written on the seventh and you may bet I was glad to get it. the two persons you inquired for are here in the Regt. / Louis Williams is in Company “I” and is very healthy and rugged. oh? Fannie how does the old Lady get along. I told “her Ike” to be certain and write her that he had received the ring she sent him for she enquired my name so many times that I thought she was afraid I would steal her sons present. there is a William Saunders in Company “B” which I think is the one you were enquiring about. Capt Hodges told me that his health was quite poor and if I am not mistaken he said he had sent forward his discharge papers. he is troubled with the scrofula. Fannie I have great times out on the Picket lines once in a while. three mornings in the week the citizens living outside our lines are allowed to come up to the lines to trade. they bring in all kinds of vegetables and exchange with us for coffee, sugar and salt, but the fun of business is there is lots of pretty little seceshers of the female persuasion that come in to buy snuff and see the sogers &c. I have got acquainted with two very pretty young Ladies Miss Mary and Sallie something I have forgoten what. last saturday Miss Sallie brought me in a nice brace of chickens a roasting pig / some potatoes apples &c and Tuesday she is going to bring me a lot more. dont you think she is a nice girl. I wish you could be here Fannie to see the fun on our market days. it is real sport I tell you. you would be supprised to see on what friendly terms we all meet on such days. we forget that we are enemies, and were it not for the gleam of a bayonet here and there one could almost imagine himself in Fulton S^t market. but Fannie dear it is nearley time for Dress Parade and I must think of closing. we have a report this evening that Sherman has taken Atlanta. I hope it is so and the whole southern army with it. then we could go home and I hope stay there. but I have strong hopes that that time is soon comeing. Our Regt has only fourteen months from to-morrow to serve at the longest. but good by Fannie dear, please give my love to all your people and reserve as much for your own dear self as you wish and a big kiss too

 

                                                                                                Affectionately Yours

                                                                                                                                    Frank

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