Camp near Richmond Va

                                                                                                            May 8^th 1865

 

                        My Dear Fannie

                                                I have made my days march and as I have some time before dark I will drop you a few lines. you perhaps may be somewhat supprised to learn that Shermans Army is near Richmond but such is the fact and what is still better we believe that we are on our way home. we left Raleigh N. C directly after the ratification of the terms of surrender from Sherman to Johnson. we started off in high spirits from Raleigh on the morning of the first (homeward bound) and arrived at Petersburg Va in just Six and a half days marching. we made the best time on record. we marched over sixty miles in two days and during the whole trip we averaged over twenty six miles per day. I had not marched any before since we left Atlanta, so you can imagine whether it was hard on me or not. I had the misfortune to be promoted to Captain of my company a short time before we left Raleigh so I was just in time to get the full benifit of this march. we are encamped to-night near the Chowan River about half way from Petersburg / to Richmond. we passed through the City of Petersburg this morning. it is a very pretty place and now presents quite a lively appearance. the town was not injured by the shell as much as I expected to find it, though there are places where the buildings are badly shattered. I expect that we will resume our march in the morning through Richmond and from thence to Washington or to some point in that vicinity. it is generally believed that we will all be home by the first of July and perhaps sooner. the Army will be mustered out as fast as possible and we shall all have the pleasure of seeing home once more. we are to have a Grand Review at Alexandria before being sent home. I expect that the President will review us. I wish Old Abe could have lived to see this old Army which has done so much fighting, mustered out and going home in peace. the soldiers are all looking forward eagerly to the time when Uncle Sam shall say, well done good and faithful soldiers, go home and see your loved ones who await your return so anxiously. (N.B. That is not scripture but it is pretty near it) there will be many happy homes at the north, when all this army gets home for the soldier goes home this time to stay and to become once more a citizen of this glorious Rebublic for which he has fought / to maintain. but it is getting late and I must close. I will write you again Fannie as soon as we get to Washington or to some point where we are to stop. please give my regards to all your family and accept much love from

 

                                                            Your Affectionate

                                                                                                Frank. M Guernsey

                                                                                                Capt Co “E” 32 Wis Vol

                                                                                                3^rd Brig 1^st Div 17^th AC

                                                                                                            Shermans Army

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