September the 29^th 1863

 

            Dear Sarah I take the preasant opportunity to rite a few lines to you in answer to your very cinde letter that came to hand to day it was rote the 15^th I was very glad to hear that you and all the rest of the friends was well, and I hope when thoes few lines come to hand they will finde you still engoying that great blessing as I am happy to say that I am still well and in good spirits, it is uslas to try to tell you any thing about the fiting hear for you get all the news by the papers long before you get my letters our battery is on the North side of the river down opposite lookout mountain the rebs have got posesion of lookout mountain and our men have built got forts built all along on this side and got several guns in them so we expect an artirly fite evry our both partys are getting guns in position as fast as they can. our Devision and brigade are both in town there is no force on this side of the river only just a nuf to ceep the rebs from crossing above and below town. I will draw of a cind of a scetch of our position hear so that you can under stand it better

 

you must not think that old Rosey is whiped because he has fallen back in side the fortifications for he cant be whiped /

 

I am riting by candel lite so I will not try to rite mutch but if nothing turns up so I cant I will rite some more to morow you seam to be very mutch disappointed because I cant get a furlow and I beleav you think I dont want one and I guess you are rite but it would make no differance how bad I wanted one for I could not get it. Neither could any other man in this Battery so I think it is the best not to want one dont you think it is the best not to want any thing when you know you cant get it. Now I dont think hard of you for wanting to se me for I want to se you but I cant at preasant so I will try and be contented and I hope you will but I have to quit for to nite

 

Well this is the morning of the 30^th and I am still well. it seams that you dont under stand it about our time being out I will now tell you just how it is but I hope we will be honerably discharged before that time and I think if Rosey gives the rebs a decent whipping hear we will get home some time this winter one year from the 7^th of November the Batterys time will be up. there is 40 days aloud to each year for furlows that would make 4 months some say that time will be taken of the end of the 3 years if it is you se our time will be out the 7^th of July. but if they ceep us untill the 7^th of November they will give us pay for the furlow time I think that is fare now I dont think you can help but under stand this but if their is any thing you dont under stand dont be a fraid to say so for I will be happy to answer any thing you will ask if I can. I long to se the day when I can ley my arms around your neck and have a long talk

 

[upside down]

I will now close for this time still hoping to remain your loving and true Husband

Wm Forder to

Sarah A Forder and little Girl

give my respect to all the friends

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