Do not forget

to write all of

you. I love to hear

of all my friends.

TO A. WIFE. Sister.

 

Dearest, like the breeze of even,                    When the cannon thunders near me

            Comes the solace you impart,                        'Mid the clash of sounding arms,

Dropping like the balm of heaven,                 Come the tho'ts of home to cheer me

            On the weary home and heart.                        With its dear familiar forms.

Home with all its joys is present,                   Then I see with eyes enchanted,

            When those letters come from thee,               All the loves that cluster there,

Household faces bright and pleasant,             And I face with heart undaunted,

            Look with sunny smiles on me.                      All the fearful scenes of war.

24 sheets of Song Paper, free by Mail for 25cts, by J. A. Howells & Co., Jefferson Ohio.

_______________________________________________________________________

Camp near Roam Georgia. May 21^st 1864

I could write                                                              

much more but                                                                         

have not the                                                                            My Dear Sister and family;—

time                                                                                                                             It fills my heart with joy to think that I am again permited to write you a few lines, to inform you that your kind letter has come to hand, and also to inform you that I am still numbered among those who are well and unhurt. Many of our brave boys have fallen and many are wounded and I [page torn or cut here] /

 

Tomorrow it will be one week since your letter has been in my care and the morning I received it we started for this place. We looked for a battle the night before but the rebs did not trust to come up before our rifle-pits. They made an assault on part of the line close on our left but our boys stood shoulder to shoulder and repulsed them. We stood at our post with beyonets fixed and ready for them to come, but instead of them coming they retreated and we had to run after them. We commenced skremishing on the 7^th and infact ever since, had more or less skremishing and fighting. On sunday the 8^th [remainder missing] /

 

to well fortified to try to take them. Jeff. C. Davis wanted permission to take his division and make a charge but Gen Sherman wanted to know whether he had to many men. Had he of got permission not many of us would be living as they had massed their batteries and would of swept us as the wind sweepeth the chaff before it. But thanks to Sherman and Thomas they wanted to save life, and I believe did save life. We then went back and passed around on the right and passed through snake creek gap and marched all night and some of Joe Hookers men also and threatened their communications which mad them fall [remainder missing] /

 

to Kingston and Rome and from there they had to skedaddle also. Our division was all that marched on to Rome with one brigade of Cavalry and we got here on the 17^th and had quite a brisk fight for a few hours. The enemy met us out about two miles and charged on us but we drove them with a heavy loss, though some of our regiments suffered very much but our regiment had very good luck. It was then near dark and we formed our skremish line and commenced to build breast works. Our company was on the skremish line and we could talk to the rebs. They cursed us very much and said they would do so and so with us in the morning. When day light commenced to dawn we looked to be attacted but no rebs came. We got orders to advance and soon we seen their forts and rifle-pits. A few men were then sent out to fire into the forts to see whether there were any rebs in them and we found they had evacuated them and soon we were in them and commenced to yell. We then looked towards the river and the black smoke was rolling from the bridges. Three bridges were set on fire at once and we then charged on [remainder missing] /

 

We then passed to the rear and one battery was up in a moment and soon they silenced the rebel guns. McCooks brigade passed over the river in old boats and took possession of the town. The stars and stripes were soon hoisted for the first time in Rome for about three years. There was plenty of tobacco captured and also some ammunition, flour, small arms some few cannon and many other things not worth mentioning. The quartermaster took the tobacco and gave it to the boys, and yesterday they gave us corn-meal. There was also a large drove of beef cattle captured and how many prisoners I could not tell, but I know that there was one whole regiment taken with colours and all. I could tell you much but I suppose you have seen all the accounts in the papers. I do not know how long we will remain here but the pioneers are building pontoon bridges and when they are complete we may have to move. The (pardon the blot.) town is a beautiful one and was strongly fortified but the rebs had to leave it without much fighting. I forget the names of the rivers that form the Coosa close by town. The rebs were building a gun boat but they had to leave it unfinished. /

 

The singing book you sent me has come to hand and a thousand thanks to you for it. We have had plenty of music since we have it and the boys like it very well. We can pass many moments in singing and reading while we are in camp.

 

Sister your writing was very good and was read with great care and attention. I am aware a Mother has many cares resting upon her and shurely her mind must be troubled sometimes. I knew the Mr. Hartman that was buerried very well, and often was in his company. Here we can see that the young will die and the old must die. Oh! may we all be prepared for death may it meet us where it will.

 

I was at Rossville when you wrote your letter but we had orders to march on monday morning which we did. I wish I could of been at your place to go to preaching as I would love to be there once if possible. The last two Sabbaths we have been fighting and tomorrow I hope we can rest in peace. The rebs have all left now except a few sharp shooters which hide and bush-wack sometimes. Tell the little girls that I will come home if I am spared when my time is out if not sooner. I wish them well and soon think they will be big. I have heard all about the girls (that is my Sisters) and I suppose if I live to get home I will have no single Sisters. If not I hope they will get such husbands that they will love and can ever live in peace with them. I will look patiently for the little girls photographs and also Georges and when I have the opportunity I will have mine taken and send it in return.

 

I suppose I would better close as I will weary your patience. George you must not think that I am slighting you been I will direct this to Sister Phebe, no I do not wish you to think so. When I write to one I write to both of you as I claim you are one. Pardon all mistakes I had to be in a hurry. I wish you all health and a Gods blessing I hope and pray God will protect me and permit us to meet on earth if it is His will. Farewell.

(My love to all of you)                                                            From your true Brother

Write soon and direct as before                                                          Henry Wetzel.

God bless you and protect me is my prayer.

 

[margin]

 

The kiss you sent was kindly excepted.

 

Since we have moved we have taken Tunnell Hill, Buzzard Roost, Dalton, Rasaca, Rome, and Kingston that I know of, and I suppose some of our troops are on their way to Atlanta. The people are very much secesh in this part of the country. More so than any place we have been at.

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