Dear Brother Frank,

I believe I have not answered your last letter yet. I have been quite well for a few days but today am to unwell to work and will try to write a letter.

We have got another hand from our Co. to help us about the wood, David Ziegenfuss. Hie came here from Bowling Green, Ky and was not well enough to go to the Regt. so we detailed him to help us. Enoch Wilcox has been discharged and will probab1y start for home soon. Lieut. Loose is about to start for the Regt again. I see by the papers that a large force will probaib1y soon be called out to help put down the rebellion. Well, this war is rather discouraging business.

Last Monday I went to the state capitol to attend the celebration in honor of Washington ‘s birthday. It was held at the Representatives Hall and was a very interesting affair. I went in time to secure a good seat but a large crowd had to stay outside. Old Parson Brownlow was there and of course made one of his queer speeches. He said that the leaders of this rebellion were the “worst set of men that God ever permitted to disgrace human” and that the “stringing up of half
a dozen of them here on Capitol hill would have a more beautiful and Christian influence on the war than any five battles you can fight[.]” He is a small square man with a big mouth perfectly cool in all that he says. Just the man to be the terror of his enemies.

Gov. Crawford of Ky and others made interesting speeches. Altogether it was the best celebration I ever attended.

We don’t get paid off yet but are expecting to be soon. It is rather doubtful about our getting any extra pay but may get it.

March 1st—I have delayed sending this hoping that I should get a letter from some of our folks and answer it with this but as I don’t get one I will finish it off today. We have been mustered today for pay that is one thing, and getting pay is another. This is the pleasantest day we have had in a long time and I feel better than usual today.

Could not go to church today on account of muster. When you write wish. you would give you ideas on war and things. What is the prospect the war’s ending this year? Don’t you think the question will have to be settled by compromise? Affairs look pretty dark to me sometimes. But I have not much chance to make observations from what I can find out, there is not much chance of foreign intervention. Don’t you think that some great event would take place soon which will make a sensation? The world is waiting for something to turn up.

Love to all and write soon.

Chauncy

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