Noxville Tenn

December the 9^th 1863

 

Dear Sarah I embrace the preasant opportunity to rite a few lines to you hoping they will find you and our little Girl and all the friends well as I am happy to say that I am well

 

I know that you are very uneasy about me but it has ben imposible for me to rite sooner for we was cept buisy while the fite was going on at Chattanooga and as soon as the fite was over we mooved our battery from Mockessonpoint over to Town and then on the morning of the 28^th 15 of us drivers was detailed with our horses to go with / the first Illanois Battery M Cap Spencer We thought when we started we was going on a 3 days scout but after we had marched about 12 mild General Burnsside sent a dispatch that he must be reenforst as soon as posible and then we went on a forst march for 9 days we got hear nite before last but Burnsides had whiped the rebs and gon on after them with 5 days half rations in their haver sacks

 

I havent any idear what we will do. some say we will return to Chattanooga as soon as Burnsides gets back

 

the reason we was sent with this battery was that they hadent horses a nuf. their is only a battery to a devision out this time

 

I will not get any letters from / untill I get back to our battery and I hope that will not be long for I would like to hear from you now

 

I received your letter before I left stating that Robert was dead pore fellow it is very hard to have to die away from home and cinde friends but I hope he is better of in yonders world than hear. their has ben a many pore fellow laid down since I rote last

 

but thank God we have gained a great victory I think the rebs have got a blow they will not get over soon some times I think this rebellion is a bout plaid out and then a gain I am a fraid it will last a good while yet but my prayer is that God will speed the day / when this rebellion shal be put down and we can return home to our dear familys and friends

 

but I will have to close for this time still hoping to remain your loving and true husband while life shal last and after deth to meet in heaven whare their is no more sicness sorow pain or deth Wm Forder

to a loving wife and child

Sarah A Forder           M. A. Forder

and Friends

 

a high Private in the 2^th Brigade

2^th Devision 4^th Armacorps

                        10^th Ind Battery

 

rite as often as you can and tell the friends to rite when ever it suits them so good by for this time God bless you is my Prayer

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