Head Quarters 1^st Wis. Cavalry

Cleveland Tenn. April 25^th 1864

 

Dear Frankie:—

                                    Your excellent letter of the 10^th and 17^th inst was received today at noon. It was mailed the 20^th and was but 5½ days on the road. We are not very far apart after all when word can pass between us in so short a time. Day before yesterday I wrote quite a long—rather nonsensical—letter to Sarah. But I can't let a great while pass without writing to you, if I knew you heard from me every day without my doing so. Of course I cannot write news all the time for I very have very limited means of knowing what is going on. The regulations here are very strict about allowing men to go out of camp. I do not go 80 rods from my tent once a week, except when I go out with the whole regiment to graze horses for two or three hours in a day. Albert and I take turns doing this, one going one day and the other the next day taking both horses by the halter and not turn them loose while they graze.

 

            I believe I have never told you much about my fellow clerk, Albert Moorhead. He belongs to Captain Jone's Co. Is a pretty smart boy 18 years old, raised in Pennsylvania and enlisted in Minnesota before he was 16. He is a / very good, steady business head and an excellent penman When we wish anything done up in extra style Albert is the one to do it. He has been a clerk here for nearly a year.

 

            You speak of sending Willie to school. If I recollect rightly he is past five years of age. He is old enough to go to school, but I dread to think of the evil he will learn there. One might reasonably suppose that if a child was kept as much as possible away from evil association till his habits become somewhat fixed and he arrives to years of partial maturity and judgment, that it would have a good effect on his after life. But on looking around among our acquaintances for examples, we find that those who in their infancy are kept away from evil example are as likely to turn out bad and lead immoral and dissipated lives as those, who when children have free access to such society an average civilized community in the country affords. The reason of this I will not now attempt to explain; but you can, no doubt, think of plenty of instances to prove the truth of what I write. I think if you have a good school you had better send Willie, but you must be the judge. We certainly want he should be a good scholar and the sooner he begins to learn the better.

 

            The weather at last is getting comfortably warm, and it has not rained for several days. The woods are beginning to look green and everything is looking pleasant and full of life. The cannons have been booming in the direction of Dalton nearly all day. But this is nothing remarkable—it is probably target-shooting. /

 

            In front of our tent a few feet, stands a soldier with arms tied behind him and he fastened to a tree. The cord is very tight around his arms, and he is groaning with pain while great beads of perspiration run down his face. He has been tied here for half a day. This punishment is inflicted by Col. Torrey because the man deserted his post on picket last night. He is one of the newcomers—a conscript and a Dutchman. He answers only "nix phursta" when told to do anything, being able to understand but little or no English. He was one of the pickets yesterday out about five miles from camp, and of course had to take his regular turn at standing "videt" out alone mounted some 40 or 60 rods from the rest. When it became dark he got frightened and came galloping in to where the main body of the pickets was. After being taken to his post again the poor timid simpleton deserted it a second time. Col. Torrey mens to make him "phersta" that it is the best way to stay where he is posted even if there is danger of the enemys coming, and not leave until they actually do come. I pity the man, he takes on so, the circulation must be nearly stopped in his arms the cord being so tight. I would gladly release him if I could and send the poor cowardly fool home, for I know he will never be good for anything as a soldier. But I suppose it would not do to set such an example, for soon a great many would be playing the same game. /

 

You seem to be puzzling your head about sending me something. There is nothing that I want except your and Willie's pictures. As for things to eat and wear we are just as well off as any one need to be, and we are in more comfortable circumstances than many people at home. We have newspapers to read—Louisville, Nashville & Chattanooga papers, and a spicy little sheet printed by the soldiers at Cleveland called the "Battle Flag". We also have in camp books of almost all kinds, that the boys have picked up in the country; generally in houses from which the occupants have fled on the approach of our army. Some houses have been deserted in this way so suddenly that everything seemed to be left—nice furniture of all kinds, beds & clothing, pianos &c. We have good singing in camp nearly every evening. In our regiment is a club of 4 or 5 of the best singers I ever heard. Writing of the singers makes me remember that one of them, a very fine young man, died day before yesterday. He was badly hurt a few days ago by his horse rearing up with him, and falling on him. This accident caused his death.

 

            The 2^nd Indiana Cav. whose camp joins ours have got an amphitheater made of pine boughs and in it every night they have regular theatrical performances before a crowded audience. I never have attended any of these shows, but all who fancy such amusement and are not on duty can go, provided they are on hand at roll calls, and whenever they are wanted for anything. Before I was aware of it my sheet was filled and I must close. From your husband C. P. Goodrich

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