Alexandria Va

                                                                                                            May 20^th 1865

 

            My dear Fannie

                                    After a very long and tiresom march we have finally reached this place. we arrived last evening and are now in camp about four miles from the City, and we are about as tired an Army as you ever saw. during the last six month we have marched over twelve hundred miles, been in numerous engagements, and have had a hard time generally. but we are getting so near home now that we look back on those times as by-gones, and many is the good story told and joke cracked at the expense of what we never expect to endure again. Our line of march from Raleigh N. C to this place took us through Petersburg and Richmond and from thence to Fredricksburg. we passed over many of the old battle grounds of the Army of the Potomac. I was a great deal dissapointed in the Fortifications of Richmond they were no stronger than those around Atlanta. I think there was more blowing done around Richmond than any thing else.

 

            Fannie I wish you could be here next week / wednsday, we are to have a grand review of the whole of Shermans Army at Washington. I expect it will be a grand display. we are all very busy prepareing for the event. we have a great deal to do and a short time in which to do it. but I suppose the sooner we are reviewed the sooner we will get home, and we are all very anxious for that I assure you. it is generally believed here that we will be home by the Twenty first of next month. we shall make a great effort to be mustered out as soon as possible.

 

            Fannie I received a good long letter from you last evening the first one for over two months I believe. you had better believe I was a glad boy. I did not cry as you said your mother and yourself did, but I had a good quiet laugh all by myself. Fannie I want you to tell that big Sister Sarah as you call her, that she can just depend on getting her ears boxed when I see her again. I should like to have been there very much I had no idea that such a catastrophe was going to take place. but Fannie dear I have written as long as I have time now. I have got a great deal to do so you must excuse a short letter today I will write again the first opportunity. please give my best regards to all your people. Also to Mrs. C— accept much love and lots of kisses from your

 

                                                                                    Affectionate

                                                                                                            Frank

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