Brother Frank,

Your letter written a week ago was received today. Also one from Millie. I am very glad indeed to get so long a letter from you, and only wish they came oftener. I could not help laughing heartily to hear how Eddie tries to help you about making gardens. No doubt he will be an eminent horticulturalist at some future day. I hope he has got well by this time. The coming of spring and the season of fruits and flowers make me think of home more than ever. I confess I am a little homesick though of course I do not allow myself to give way to my such feelings for it would be of no use. And would make the time of my absence from home seem longer.

We were much elated by the news from Richmond and know that if true it would greatly hasten our return. But the contradictions of the report has produced a painful reaction lengthened our fears considerable. We hardly know whether to consider Hooker’s movement a success or a failure. But the news from other points is favorable and we hope for the best. It is evident we are trusting too much in the power of man to conjure while God rule over all. It seems as though a large part of the Army have forgotten that there was a God who has everything to do with the affairs of man. Oh, for more faith in him and then through disappointment at reverse we should not be cast down. He certainly will be with the right. How surely slavery will be overthrown. I trust the negroes will yet as a race be elevated. From what I have seen of them, I think they are as capable of improvements as the whites are under the same circumstances.

They are employed by nearly all the officers as cooks and waiters.

Monday morning-I have been quite unwell for over a week though have been on duty most of the time. I am doctoring some and hope to be better soon. I wish you would tell Philander to get a box of Ayer’s Cathartic pills and send to me by mail, and charge to me. I would send the money but have not a good deal left.

Major C. C. Ellsworth was here a week ago and stayed over night. He is stationed in Nashville to pay discharged soldiers. He has got a safe place in the Army at last. The boys used to wish last fall that he would be obliged to pack a knapsack through Ky.

P.M.—I went out with the regt. on drill this A.m. but was obliged to come back to camp after a little while. I could not stand it. Have had the [diarrhea] for about two weeks and now have no appetite and some fever. Have got quits poor since I came to the front. I am sorry to near of Mothers getting hurt but am thankful that it was no worse. Millie wrote me about it. I hope and pray that her life and health will be spared until I come home again. According to orders from Ge. Rosecrans, we have been packing all our extra clothings to be sent to Nashville for storage until wanted. We are allowed only to keep a change of shirts, drawers, and socks, one coat and pants and one woolen and rubber blanket. This looks like a forward movement and rumor is that we are going to move camp tomorrow. Well, I don’t think of much more to write this time. I wish you and Carrie could write oftener. You don’t say whether you have got those mittens I sent you or not.

I suppose I could come home and make a visit of 30 days. If I were a mind to enlist for 3 years from this time. Volunteers from the service are called for to man the fortifications here and promise higher wages and furloughs for 30 days ever year but I have no notion of binding myself out any longer. I long to be a free man again.

Well, good bye for this time. Love to all.

Your little brother, Chauncy

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