September the 13^th

 

                                                                                                                        Dear Sarah

I take the preas ant opportunity to rite a few lines to you in answer to your very cinde and welcom letter of the 6^th witch came to hand yesterday. I was very glad to hear that you and all the rest of the friends was well, but was sory to hear that you was so uneasy about me. I knew you would be but I could not help it for I rote evry chance I got. I can assure you that it was no neglect of mine

Well I will now tell you that I am well fat and sasy

 

I never had as nice a time pleying soldier before as I have at this time We are in Chattanooga and Wagoners Brigade is left hear to garison the town. our Battery is devided into 3 parts now. they have put 2 gunes in a fort one fort is on the north west corner of town No 1 and No 2 guns are their No 2 is the gun I belong to and their is another part at the north east corner of town No 4 and No 5 is in that one and No 3 and 6 is in one on the south side of town We have got 26 of our horses in a good new stable rite in town their is a man to every 2 horses to take / care of them I have charge of 15 horses and 7 men I have to se that the horses ar waterd 3 times a day and ishew the feed to the drivers for them and se that they are well curied and taken good care of evry way We have got our tents close to the stable and we have got a large tent and got our table in the center and benches to set on I am setting on one now and riting on the table We are fixt as near rite now as soldiers ever get I think We have got a well of as good water rite close as you ever saw, if it wasent for being seperated from you I would be as well satesfide as I ever was in my life but that is one thing I have to bare with fore it cant be helped at preasant but I trust to God that it will not be long untill this wicked Rebellion shal be put down so that we that are alive can return home to our dear familys and friends but I do desire to be thankful to God that it is as well with us as what it is, for while we are being blest with life helth and prospect fare their is so many many a pore soldier lying beneath the sod whoos friend ware as dear and near to them as they are to us but we know that God will do what is rite if we will / only do as we should do. I know that I am a pore sinful creature of the dust but I trust that God will for give all my sins and take care of us all it is just one yeare to day since we left home but I trust that it will not be a nother year until we will meet to engoy ourselvs again. I cant se how the war is to last mutch longer the Tenneseens are deserting as fast as they can they told Brag they would not fite unless he stade hear their has ben over 500 deserted since they left hear and they are coming in all the time God speed the day when their will not be a reb in America

 

You think I had better not sell quen it shall be as you say I have no dout but what she is dooing well anuff

 

I am got so that I hardly ever think about our affares out their for I know that I cant doo them any good if I was to set down and cry half my time about them so I have concluded to let them rest easy untill I get home

 

You wished I was their to eat peaches I had lots of peaches while we ware marching but they are pleyed out now and to the pie it is something I know nothing about I have saw some / things they cald pie but not many

 

Well this is Monday morning and I am still well

 

there is a prety hard fite going on about 20 milds from hear they have got brag surrounded I think his doom is sealed or at least I hope so

but I must quit for this time for I have got some work to doo this morning cleaning up our yard and stabels

 

                                    So good by for this time hoping still to remain your loving and true husband

                                    Wm Forder

                                                            to Sarah A Forder

 

                                                            rite soon and often

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