Franklin County: Franklin Rosenbery to John Abraham
Rosenbery (father), December 25, 1863
Summary:
As in earlier letters, Rosenbery writes that he does the will of God. He also
hopes for peace, and he wishes that northerners would further devote themselves
to the nation's cause. He then goes onto discuss religion as well as the value
of tobacco in the soldiers' camp. Finally, he discusses Christmas dinner, the
weather, the possibility of a furlough, his prospects for survival, the war's
duration, and correspondence.
John Rosenbery
December 25, 1863
I am doing the will of God by Crying Freedom: Freedom. As much as if I was at home crying repentance.
Oh, that all the people of the north would be as active in the engagement of This Cause as they are in trying to get exemited. I am persuaded that this rebellion would soon be crushed. And peace, freedom and liberty again prevail in our land.
I have received 3 letters from you since I left home. I have written over a dozen letters to you.
I have received 3 letters from Rachel since I left home. I have written about as many to her as I did to you.
I write as often to you as I can. Oft times I have not the privilege to write.
I would be glad if Brother John would try and write some to me as he has a better chance to write than I have.
I received that tobacco that you sent to me. I sold it nearly all for 25cents; per plug but now we have a settler here that spoils the sale of tobacco. I can buy it here for a 1 dollar a pound.
While I think of it you may get a good key for my watch when you send it to me. If Rineman's has not got it fixed yet. Get it fixed by some person else and send it as soon as you can. As I need it bad.
Keep account of what you lay out for me and for the family and I will try and repay you.
It may be that we will get home soon and it may be we will not get home for 3 years and it may be we will never get home.
I am satisfied here as long as I feel that I am doing the Will of God. I have family worship in our tent. I have prayer meeting in my tent and when the weather is fit on Sunday we have preaching. And on Thursday Evening we have prayer meetings.
So if the Army is a hard place and a Soldier's Life is a hard life. There is none that need be lost. If they are lost it is their own fault. It is not God's for in His Word He saith as I live saith The Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. But rather all would be born and live. Turn, ye, Turn, ye, for why will ye die?
This is Christmas. Now, I must tell what I had for dinner. I had some soup beans boiled with beef and some pork and some of Aunt Sally Lincoln's biscuits-all boiled together. I call the hardtack Aunt Sally Lincoln's biscuits.
The weather is very cold. It has been cloudy nearly all day with the appearance of snow. I think that it will snow before morning.
I have a middling comfortable place to stay in but people at home would not think so.
If I hear where Abraham Rosenbery and Ashway is I will go and see them if I can get a pass. As long as I am in Winter Quarters, I will write to you as often as I can. Do not fret yourself about me and if you don't get all the letters that I write do not think that I am forgetting you for I will ever remember you as a Father as long as I live.
You will soon hear from me if I live and the letters go safe.
No more at present. Give my best respects to all Inquiring friends.
Yours Truly,
Franklin Rosenbery
Farewell for the present. To his father, John Rosenbery
