Franklin County: Franklin Rosenbery to John Abraham
Rosenbery (father), November 15, 1863
Summary:
Rosenbery responds to some news from home. He then takes time to disparage those
whom he considers traitors: men avoiding military service for the nation.
Rosenbery also mentions sending money home. He discusses the weather and planned
troop movements. As in earlier letters, Rosenbery expresses his confidence that
he does the "will of God."
November 15, 1863
Camp Near Culpeper, Virginia
Dear Father:-
This morning I seat myself with pen in hand to inform you that I am well, hoping that these few lines may find you all enjoying the same Blessings of Health that I enjoy.
I received your kind letter of the 8th of November. It affords me much joy to hear from you.
I began to think that you did not get my letters. I am glad that you got some of them.
Yesterday, I sent you ten dollars in a letter and I sent Rachel ten dollars in a letter. I hope that you and Rachel has received them letters.
I told Rachel to give you five dollars and keep the other five, if she need it. And if she does not need it she can give the ten dollars to you and you will see that it is kept account of as it is hard for me to keep account of it.
The old soldiers here tell me that we get our pay regular every 2 month.
Now, about them shoes, you may use them if you can make any use of them in the family.
I am glad that Mr Cree has taken an interest in having them thieving Thomases catched. I think that young William Thomas ought to get preaching license he could preach to his comrades in the Huntingdon Jail.
Further, I would say that Solomon should be well rewarded for helping to catch the government property. They should all be caught for if a man does not go when he is drafted or does not pay his fine, he is worse than a Reb. Yes, he is worse than a traitor to his country and should not be permitted to live among loyal men.
I have not got any letter from Rachel yet. I have written several letters to her. Tell her, I said she should stay about home as much as she could. Although I do not ask her to stay all the time. She can go and attend meetings and visit her neighbors but not to make a practice of it.
I believe I have answered this letter so far as you have desired of me in this letter.
I send you five dollars more. Hope you will receive it safe. This will make twenty-five dollars that I sent to you and Rachel.
I will keep 3 dollars with me. I think that it will do.
I wish you to send me some postage stamps. I have forgot whether I wrote for stamps yesterday or not.
I have not written to Abraham or Ashway yet.
You will please give them my past address. If they write to me I will answer their letter.
Yesterday was a warm day. Toward evening it began to cloud over and at dusk it began to thunder and lighten and the wind arose and the rain came in torrents down.
I have a middling comfortable place. It is thundering now. It will soon rain again.
We got orders to make ready to pack up. We are laying between the Rappahonnock River and the Rapidan. It is so as soon as it stops we cannot tell what minute we must leave.
I still feel satisfied that I am doing the will of God. I can't sit down to write and interesting letter as long as the Army is on the move.
I must close for the present. Give my love and respect to my family and all inquiring friends.
You may look for letters as I will write as often as I can possibly. I would like to write to the neighbors around but I can't have time yet. Write as soon as you can.
Your son till death, Farewell for this time.
Franklin Rosenbery
