Franklin Tennessee Feb 25^th 1863

 

My Dear Brother and family;—

                                                                                                                                    I again assume a Soldiers seat to answer your kind and ever welcome letter dated Feb 4^th which reach me while at Nashville.

 

Kind friends;—You stated that you wrote me two letters since you received the last one from me and that you thought I did not get the one before the last. Yes I got it but we were so buisy and on the march all the time that I could not get time to do any writing untill we started for Nashville and on the way I scribled you a kind of a letter. We got through safe and all / the rest. We were taken to camp from the boat about three miles from the City but we did not remain long untill we were ordered to Franklin where we are now. I do not know whether they expect an attact her but we have been fortifying pretty strong since we are here. I do not think there is a strong force of the enemies if any. There are some rebel scouts of corse but they amount but to very little where there is an army. The 9^th Pa cavalry is here at present. I saw two of my old comrades that I use to play ball with. I suppose you knew Jacob Weadly and young Corman from Middlesex. (That is Mr. Weadlys son at Middlesex) We had a long talk and recalled some of our / old times and you may think it was a happy meeting. If you see Mr. Weadly you can tell him that he is under the command of the same General that I am, and that is Gen. Gilbert. They are now in Franklin encamped in a beautiful yard and we in a large two story house. We have fine times here Yesterday I was out on picket and what do you think, I had the pleasure of halting the Union girl of Tennessee. I tell you she is a beauty and better than that she says she loves the Yankey Union boys of the North. When she came up to me I asked her for her pass and she told me she had none, but she thought if we knew her we would leave her through. I told / her if she was my Mother I could not leave her through without breaking my instructions and that I could not so I told her to go to the Colonel and get a pass and then she could go where she pleased in our lines. She went back a laughing and said they were good soldiers that would not break their word. I tell you she was all right on our side. Ha. ha. ha.

 

Brother Joseph must be playing all right lately. Good for him that he has once got to follow the Ladies. I was commencing to think that I would beat him out all hollow and make him ride the old bake-ovens I do not want to do it if if I can help it. O, I must stop writing folishness and write some news.

 

I would like to know how the news came that I was killed I think the folks must have much to do that raise such reports. George; I have not yet received the papers that you prommised to send me I have been looking for them long ago. I heard that you received my last big letter. I will close by telling you that we are very well and hope these few lines will find you the same. I also wish you health and happiness and success. May God bless us is my prayer. Farewell.

 

Write soon and                                                Your Brother as ever

direct the same as                                           Henry Wetzel.

before. My love to you all

and all inquiring friends and folks.

                        Yours  Good bye.

 

[front top margin upside down]

 

No more this time

Write me a long letter.

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