Head Qrs 36^th Ills Vols

Nashville Tenn June 5^th 1865

 

                        Dear Father

                                                I received your interesting letter yesterday and I think I had better answer it today as we (Veteran Regiments) are under marching orders and may leave here at any time. The general opinion seems to be that we start for Texas via the Cumberland River the Ohio River and the Mississippi to New Orleans.

 

            We are waiting here now for our pay which will be given us in a day or two and then unless orders are countermanded we start south.

 

            What we are to be sent down there for is a question that I dont believe the War Department can answer. Kirby Smith has surrendered and I dont see the use of taking an army down there just to stay during the hot months unless it is to give the surgeons some experience in / yellow fever. There will be a general reorganisation of the Corps as about one half of the Regts are to be mustered out of service next week. If Dr Lytle had stayed in the service I would now have a good opportunity to resign but as it is I have to stay by the Reg^t and last month I mustered in again for the unexpired term of the Reg^t so I shall have to give up all thoughts of civil life and its enjoyments for a season. If they would let us stay in camp here the rest of our time it would be quite plesant but to go to Texas at this time of the year seems a hard thing for the Veterans. I trust that Government will consider the war over before fall and let all the volunteer troops return to their homes but it looks now as though they were trying to keep a large army in the field just to give our generals a command. There are no doubt many officers that would be glad to stay in the service but it is not right to keep the men away from their homes, families and farms any longer / than is necessary. I may be able to send some money to you in a few days If I do I will express it to you at Aurora so you can enquire for it at the Express office when convenient.

 

            In regard to trading for that lot of Mercelias I think you had better do it if you can make a reasonable trade for I think the lot would benefit me more than land in Big Rock but I would rather trust your judgement in the matter than my own. I would like to hear from the Dr in regard to that proposition you mentioned and think it would be very agreeable to me if it can be arranged.

 

            I thought some of going back to Kent Station when out of the service but I hear that there is now five Doctors on my old ride so I presume my chance would be as good any where else. I shall have to close now. write soon. I send love to Mother. Tell Ottie he owes me a letter.

 

                                                from your Affc Son

                                                J A Hatch

SOURCES