Sunday evening.            

Camp near Chattanooga, Tenn, Nov. 8^th 63

                                                                                    My Dear Brother, Sister & family;—

                                                                                                                                    I have been sitting in my tent pretty much all day, while I suppose you have been at the house of God and heard his word preached in all its purity. We have had no preaching lately as our Chaplain has been in the hospitals since the battle, administering to those who were wounded. However, I enjoyed the day pretty well as a soldier, but I know if I could of been with you I would of enjoyed it better. I wish you were here to see how we get along and to have a small chat with you. We have our tent fixed up all right and a chimney in it; so that it is quite comfortable these cool nights. The weather I suppose is not as cool here as it is up with you folks but still it is / nice to have a fire-place. There are four of us in one tent and a good time we have. We read and sing and if we had flour we could bake cakes but that is what is awanting. We sometimes get corn and grate it and bake corn cakes, but we have no milk to put in, so they do not get very good. They have been good for some time, as our rations have been very scarce and we got a little hungry. We have been on quarter rations for some time but now we have the cracker line open to some better advantage and we get more rations. The river is now open and the boats run up and if we have good luck we will have plenty to eat. I suppose you heard of the fight that Gen. Hooker had with the rebs one night before he got posession of the river. He had the fight last Wednesday night a week and on Thursday morning we were ordered to march at daylight. We marched out and soon we heard the bursting shells in our ranks from the rebel cannon, but we went on and soon got to where we were to remain in line of battle. We got to / work and threw up breast-works and dug rifle-pitts under the fire of the rebel artiliary. They kept shelling us but we kept digging untill they got to good on it and then we were ordered to fall into the rifle pitts when they would shoot and wait untill the shell had bursted or passed by. One struck within a few feet of me and most covered me up with the ground it threw up but did not hurt me, or any of us. Had it of exploded I suppose it would of done some harm but thank fortune it did not. As soon as the shells had exploded or passed by we would get to work in a hurry and shovel up the ground for more shelter. We looked for the enemy every moment but they were afraid to come up when we had rifle-pitts. We went out on Thursday morning and did not get back untill Sunday evening. While there, the first night we slept in the rifle-pitts and the second I slept on the top of a big brush pile and it was raining to please the people. I slept very well but got a little wet as my ruber had a few small holes. I slept fine I must say. The third night I was on / picket but seen no rebs; all was quiet. I seen Genn. Hooker, he is a fine looking man and looks very inteligent.

 

Our good old hero has left us but another one has taken his place, that I think we can rely in, and that is Gen Grant the hero of Vicksburg. Grant I think will bring all things right at this point, at least we hope he will.

 

I have a song that I will send you that we so often sing, and which is our favorite. I do not know whether you have it or not but if you have all will be right any-how. I want you to learn to sing it so that when I come to see you, you can sing it for me. I do not know whether it is exactly right copied but think it is. If you have any good songs or hymns I wish you would please send them for we love to sing and hear singing. We have some pretty good singers in our Company.

 

Brother and Sister;—I must close but I could write much more. I am well and trust God's blessing rests upon you. Farewell

Please write soon and direct                                       From your ever true Brother

            121^st regt Comp B, O.V.I.                                                       Henry Wetzel

Chattanooga Tenn.      My best wishes to you.

 

[margins]

 

This is what we look to as our freedom, and this is what we now are fighting for. We can't see the stars and stripes trampled under foot we will not.

 

I have no stamps please pardon me for not paying for it

 

Last evening eight heavy seige guns came up on the steamer; We will I suppose soon hear them talk to the rebs. I answered your letter some time ago but I suppose you will read this right; I love to write when I have time.

 

No more but ever your friend

Write soon and much,

Brother and Sister                   Good bye.

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