In Camp near Franklin Tenn May 22^nd 1863

 

                                                                        My Dear Brother, Sister and Family;—

                                                                                                                        Yesterday I was greeted with a letter from you dear Brother & Sister and it gave me much pleasure as it has been more then one month since I received a message from Pennsylvania except from Sister Lib or Katy. I almost thought you had forgotten me but this letter has asked for pardon, which of corse I will grant. If you had almost forgotten me I never had forgotten you. Mermory still recalled the past & I still remembered the beauties of old Cumberland and those who are dear and near to me. My thoughts often, very often return to my dear old home, though I am far from it. I do not feel like going home; yet, it is an every day thought. I like soldiering very well and feel contented  but with all this, home is a dear spot. There we use to meet the sabbath school scholars and from there we would walk side by side into the church where I use to meet with a swelling heart. Ah! when will that time return; soon or never. We hope and trust soon, and if we are true to God and our Country, we can soon crush this wicked and horrible war. In Ohio many have turned traitors to their beloved country, but I hope I shall never hear them news from the old keystone Pennsyvania. I hope she will remain loyal to the core. It is true many, very many have already fallen, yet we should press on and try to crush these butternutts, in the north, as well as south. I must say myself, that there is to much niggar about this war but still we should stick together for our dear Country, and let the niggar go to Hallifax. /

 

            I believe if we would all stick together we could soon have the niggar from amongst us but if some run back while others are in the field pulling and doing the best they can and putting up with all the hardships that a soldier must put up with and bare bear, and yet more then that; endangering his life with a willing heart for the sake of his country, while some in Ohio and other states are pointing the finger of scorn at them and say they wish they never would get home. Dear Brother; if this does not make a soldier feel sad, what will, but though I have not yet heard that any of my friends do not wish me to return, as some here in the service of their Country, nor do I ever hope to hear such a thing as that. I believe our cause is just and more then that I believe it a deauty of ours, espetially young men. I think it would be wrong for them to force those who have families when they yet have those who are single. I think it would be right for them to conscript all the young men and if they then have not enough to take as many others as they want. I hope none of my friends will ever say any thing if they are drafted or conscripted, as it is our deauty to come at out and lend a helping hand in time of need. Here at this place and at Murfreesboro I think there will soon be a move by all accounts. the news are that Bragg is changing his position and if he does old Rosy will keep an eye on him. General Granger has still command of this position and the boys place much confidence in him as a commander. We are very well fortified here and we all think it would take five times our number to whail us and then perhaps could not do it. We have some tremendious guns here and are still getting more. Some old mortars that make the earth shake when they are tutched off by some of our brave boys. /

 

            Kind friends;—Perhaps what I have written will not interest you but I wrote just what I think and not all of that. I could write a whole sheet about our country and the way it is treated. But I will not delay I will go on and try and interest you on some other subject if posible.

 

First, I must tell you that I was glad to hear that you were all well and hope this imperfect letter when it reaches you may still find you the same. As for us I cannot say that we are perfectly well but on a fair way. Brother Moses neck is still pretty sore yet but still seems to be getting better. As for me I do not claim to be sick but my throat was very sore but is now pretty near all right. I feel well but I thought I would stay of off duty a day or so yet so that I would be able to stand it when I go on. I had a pretty sore throat for a day or so and at one time I thought it might close up but I kept in good spirits and now it is all right very near. The cause of it was I think that I was on picket two days and nights in succession and it rained pretty near all the time and we had no shelter. At least I put it pretty shortly. Sister you think it would be hard for me to stay here alone if Brother was to be discharged and leave. I do not know Sister, but sooner then he would stay here and ruin his health altogether I will stay with a willing heart. Of corse we are company together and I am sorry that he cant stand it but you should not trouble yourselves about me, as I will get along some way. The company I am in are all fine fellows except a couple and them I do not medle with. Some seem to be Brothers to us and they will do any thing that they are asked to do.

 

            Kind Sister; In what way can I thank you for your kindness towards Brother and me for sending us your picture. I think it dus not look like you use to look yet I can see that it is you. You must of changed very much since you / were sick or the face was not taken natural. But still I am highly pleased with it. you have my picture if I am not mistaken but if I had a very good chance I would send it to you again. The chance is very poor in the army but as soon as I can get mine taken I will send it home to Mother, and then you can see it. And the little flowers that the little girls sent me are were welcomed by me. I was glad to see a little flower or rose from Pa, as it has been some time since I seen any. I thank Ella and Anna for them and if I could I would send them strawberries. They are ripe and the cherries will soon be ripe too. Yes I would give them more then straw-berries; I would give them a dozen kisses each.

 

            I wish the words that you had written in your message could have come to pass. I would love to be there and go with you to preaching every evening if it could be, but that is imposible at present. Though I am far away, yet my heart wishes to be remembered by those who still meet there and offer up praise and prayer to God. Tis true, I have been absent from there a good while but still I am with you in thought, in deed and in word. I hope the time is not far distant when we can again meet each other as we have done in the past. As for the weather it is beautiful and the birds are singing most delightful. The trees are all robed in beauty buty and every thing seems cheerful except the war which overhangs us and our dear Country. But I must close or I will have you scold me for writing such "long," and not interesting letter. Sister I could read your letter very well and wish you would of wrote more. I will pardon all which you asked me to pardon and hope you will return the compliment. I will close trusting that God will ever remember us and keep us safe. Farewell

 

My love to you all                                                      From your true Brother

and all inquiring friends and asotiates.                                               Henry Wetzel.

Please write soon and direct the

same as before. (I.E.) Via Nashville.

Miss Mary's love was excepted and mine

in return                                                          Write soon

 

[margins]

 

I have a paper the Chaplain gave me and I have read it and now I will send it to you. It is worth reading. No more but good bye.

 

I was glad to hear that Lieut Brindle escaped and also the rest of my comrads in the last battle they had. It must of been a bloody scene to all that was there. Horable it must of been.

 

Brother Moses says that he won't write any this time but he will the next time. He sends his love and best wishes to you likewise.

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