In our old Camp near Rossville, Georgia;

March 24^th /64.

 

                                    Dear Brother & family;—

                                                                                                                        It affords me much pleasure to again assume my seat to write a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome message dated March 6^th which was a long time on the way but at last found me. It came a few days ago and as I had to go on picket I could not answer it sooner.

 

I was pleased to hear that you were all well and hope, this will not fail to still find you enjoying the same great and rich blessing. My health is not as good as your kind letter hoped it would be, but hope ere long I may again enjoy good health. I cannot say that I am bodily sick, but have a tremendious pain in my jaw and right side of my head. Night before last I slept but little, but last night I had a sweet sleep. I think I / caught a bad cold the other night while acting a feather bed soldier. I was out on picket with six more of my comrads out of our Company, the other night and at one o'clock we lay down to sleep, and in the morning when we got up we were covered with a lot of feathers to the depth of about five inches. We slept very warm and I did not know that there was any snow about untill I went to get up when it rolled into my face.

 

Snow has fallen, on Southern earth,

To remind the Yankees of their brith.

 

Bit it reminded me, and I guess gave me the pain I had to suffer but hope it will all be right before long. I did not feel the pain while out on picket but at 9 o'clock PM we were relieved and as soon as I got to camp my cheek commenced to swell and it continued untill yesterday morning when it ceased. At present I feel much better but my one cheek is much fatter than the other. /

 

I do not think Miss Mary would wish one of my photograph's just now, as they have daubed my cheek over with medacine that has made it black, and it is so much thicker than the other that it would disgrace all the rest in her album. But if my health gets good again, and I get this black stuff washed off, I will try and send one if I can get it taken. The nearest point that we can get photograph's taken is Chattanooga which is about 7 or 8 miles from here. I do not know whether my cheek will have to be opened but it feels much like it. I tell you I was fat but this has made me much fatter and fuller faced.

 

There is some talk that we will have a chance to veteran after the 1^st of April, but how true it is I do not know. Many of our Veteran comrads, have again joined us and are now in for three years more. Many are now at home on furlough and will soon be back also. Our brave / Colonel come back last evening and he made a little or rather short speech to the boys and told them that their friends are still remembering them and said that he would stay with us untill we are free unless death would separate us. He also said that he had a treat for us that he brought from home. The boys then cheered him and thanked him for his kindness.

 

Well, I most forget where I was when I wrote the last letter to you, but I think we were at Tyner's Station. I must tell you that on the evening of the 23^rd Feb, we got orders to march and we started about sun-down and at 12 o'clock at night we were at Ringold and there we lay untill morning. The next morning we were taken into the gap which is sometimes called (since the Chattanooga battle) Hookers gap. We were not there long untill we heard the booming cannon belch away, and sometimes we could hear musketry in the distance. We expected to be called out every moment but we were not. Our boys took Tunnell Hill and were within sight of Dalton but did not wish to take it. The object was to keep Johnsons force in our front so that Sherman could tare up all he desired on his rout. We did keep them here but some had already started and when they were attacted they called them back. As soon as our men found that they had come back they fell back to Ringold where they still are, and we were sent to our old Camp near Rossville. The cars now run to Ringold and I suppose there will be a forward movement soon. My confidence is in our leaders and God. Yesterday the boys had a good time snow balling each other. The snow was about seven or 8 inches deep. The peach trees have been in bloom for two weeks and I suppose this snow has ripened them. Every thing was growing beautiful but the snow has made every thing look winter like. I think it will all be away in a few days and then we will see spring again. I could write much more but I must close hoping to hear from you soon. Farewell

 

(God bless you is my prayer.)                                                From your true Brother

                                                                                                            H. Wetzel

 

[margins]

 

I suppose the 84^th Penna will go in as veterans if they have not already gone in. I would like to meet them boys some time unexpected. Brother M has become to be a goose jocky by what you think. He would better take care of himself or they will draw the cape over his eyes. Tis true, markets are pretty high but soldiering is pretty rough work also.

 

Brother George, please send me one of the small Sabbath bell books. I think it is called the Sabbath school bell. We used them the summer I tended Sunday school. If you tell me what it cost I will send you the money The little book is used in Sunday Schools.

 

Sister I am looking for your letter. Tell the little girls that I do not know how soon I will be home I want them to learn fast so that they can write to me. No more but good bye. My respects to Miss Mary. Pardon mistakes.

 

My love and best wishes to all of you and all inquiring friends and relatives. You were wondering whether we were in the fight in Florida. O no you would not want us to [?] there and here watching old Longstreet and Johnston I think we can keep him from going into Kentucky at this time.

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