Transcription
Addison, February 14, 1864
Dear Fritz!
I received your letter from January 4th, and am very happy that you are relatively healthy, which I can also say about myself, from Mother, your Brothers, your Sister, and all our Relatives and Friends. Since you got my letter from December 11th, I assume you also got my latter letters. So, I do not think it necessary to write you what Heinrich and Hermann already wrote [illegible].
Have you heard how your brother August is doing[?] He has not written recently, but did send home a coat and blanket; many others in his Company did the same, since they probably had to leave Nashville for (what is it called?) Bridgeport by Chattanooga. I randomly met Abraham Heiz, who came from Chattanooga, and stayed with [illegible] instead of with the 19th Ill. Regiment, and reenlisted. That it was already cold by January 1st, we have already told you. The weather improved during the last weeks of January, and it only freezes at night, while during the day the weather is quite nice.
Since I already gave you my point of view earlier about your reenlistment, and since I have not changed this opinion, I will not speak about it further. You know quite well that we would like to have you remain with us back home[.] Also as you well know Heinrich will leave home and become financially independent next summer, which will take away my best supporting hand[.] Another thing is that the laborers are not very good, the hired hands now expect close to $ 200.00 a year, which is not so bad, since as long as we can continue to get high prices for our products, we will continue to make a lot of money. I know you are aware of your value to us back home, and since you hopefully do want to become a farmer, it would be better for you if you came back to the farm and worked.
If you think it is your Duty to reenlist, and that it will help the country a good deal, then I do not want to be completely against your decision. I have enough patriotism to sacrifice a little if it has to be, since the fatherland is the highest thing we can serve. I am also afraid that if you do not reenlist you would not be satisfied to stay at home with your parents if the war were to drag on. I have also spoken with Mother often and seriously about your reenlistment, and she wants to me to let you know that while she has been looking forward to the time of your discharge, she has grown used to your absence[.] Since your brother August is also in the Army, she is no longer so worried, than if you were the only one gone. If you have not yet reenlisted by the time this letter reaches you, please consider your decision one more time, and then do as you think is Right. You do not have to reenlist if part of that decision rests on monetary reasons, since you can also earn a living here at home, and even if you make a couple hundred dollars more or a couple hundred less, it does not make that great a difference. Whatever you do, will be alright with me.
There is a good possibility that the War will soon come to a close, but we do not know how much longer it will be. Hermann wants to get the dictionary and the book you wrote about. Heinrich wrote to August today, because he complains that we do not write him enough. One can see that (he misses home). We hope that both of you will return healthy so you can enjoy your original home. We want to do our best to found a good permanent home for you guys, and are actively planning it.
Fritz Grothmann still thinks he will reenlist; if your Regiment reenlists he will try to get back into it; he speaks of nothing other than the two of you and your Regiment. He sent his heartfelt greetings to you and all your comrades. August Senf and his wife also send their greetings, and wanted to tell you that their family grew because of a new daughter, who was born on February 3rd. The mother is, as I hear, healthy and strong, and will soon write you herself.
Since I no longer have anything very interesting to tell you, I will close for this time, and wait to get a letter from you[.] Since our other letters are on the way, or may already have reached you, you may already have written, so do not feel like you need to answer this letter right away, since it also takes a long time for letter to arrive. Many Greetings [can also be translated as “Love”] from you Mother, Brother and Relatives as well as from
Your Father,
H. D. Fischer
Translated from German.
