Franklin County: Franklin Rosenbery to John Abraham
Rosenbery (father), March 31, 1864
Summary:
As in earlier letters, Rosenbery ponders the potential length of his service and
also expresses his desire to serve God and country.
March 31, 1864
Camp near Stephensburg, Virginia
Dear Father:
This morning I take the opportunity to inform you that I am well. Hoping these few lines may find you all enjoying good health and happiness.
I have come to the conclusion that if I have not much to write-I will write short letters and more of them. Things appear pretty quiet. Yet not knowing how long they will remain so.
The weather was so very pleasant in January and February and part of March that I think it will make up now with rain and mud. These few days back it has been raining. This morning is middling clear.
We have not much duty to do a out camp more than we are drilled pretty freely.
About our getting home in 9 months it is still kept in darkness. Some say that we will not be paid off till we are taken out of The Regiment. It appears very much like it. Some say that we are only transferred. Some has one story and some another. So I can't go by what I hear.
Now, the substitutes are only good for 1 year. The 300 dollars are only good for 1 year. That is why I think that they cannot make us stay longer than 1 year.
Be this as it may. Time will reveal all things. I will be contented trusting in a higher power. My desire is to do my duty and live in such a way as to make Heaven my home when I come to cross the cold Jordan of Death.
My prayer and sincere desire is that-if we never meet on Earth, that God will help us to meet in Heaven where there will be no War or no parting then.
Take care of your health and if it is God's will-we will soon be permitted to meet each other.
Write soon.
May God provide for us all. No more at present.
When you write-Direct in this way. 1st Division- 2 nd Corps, Washington, D. C.
So farewell for this time.
Your son,
Franklin Rosenbery
