Transcription
Wauhatchie Tenn. Apr 3rd 1864
Dear Brother
I received your interesting letter dated Feb 2nd last Thursday March 31st. I did not have time to answer it immediately or I would have done so. I had the impression while at Nashville that we would have more leisure further to the Front than at Nashville even because there would not be so much guard duty to do proportionally where a large number of Troops were collected than where there were but a few Regiments.and that drilling would be nearly if not entirely played out, but I find out that I was greatly mistaken, it is true that we have not so much guard duty than at Nashville, but as far as drilling is concerned it is just the contrary because we have to drill about twice as much now as we did before, also Inspections and Reviews come off frequently. we have General Inspections on the 1st 8th 15th and 23rd of each Month and Company Inspection every Sunday. Instruction of the Commissioned Officers every evening.
We left Nashville which I have already written to you before on the 24th day of Feb, we had very easy marches and arrived here on the 10th of March. we are encamped that is our Regiment close to Lookout Mountain where it is said Hooker fought above the Clouds. I have been on the top of it once, it is the highest point that I have ever been on the point is over 2,000 feet above the level of the Ocean and about 1500 feet above the Tennessee river in some places it is hundreds of feet perpendicular rock, and in most all places very steep but on the top it is quite level and nice. there is a nice little Village on the top of the mountain which before the war broke out, was much frequented by the rich during the summer seasons, but is now as most all the southern Towns and Villages. little thought of. The only places that I have seen in the south that amounted to anything are Louisville Ky. and Nashville Tenn. of course there many nice little Villages and Towns such as Frankfort Ky. Shelbyville Tenn. and also Shelbyville-Bardstown-Franklin-Bowling Green in Kentucky and Murfreesboro, Gallatin, Franklin in Tennessee, but they are not so large, and of so much importance as most the men that is the Soldiers, thought they were before getting into them.
I received a letter from Father a few days ago stating that the Boys of the 33rd Ill were there on furlough W. Radcke was also there but had not reenlisted but when the Regiment passed through New Orleans on the way to Illinois they took him with them to Bloomington, where he was to stay till the Regiment was to go in the field again, but he slipped through in some way and went to Addison. he did not write any particular news. only that they were all well at home, and that the boys of the 33rd were sorry that you was not with them. Hardly anything occurs worthy of notice at present but the usual routine of Camp life which you are well acquainted with. hoping soon to receive an answer to this I will close. remaining as ever,
Your Affectionate Brother
Augustus Fischer
It is now just one year since we fought the first Battle of the Vicksburg Campaign How different all our Country affairs are now from what they then were ! How much brighter our prospects of success. To meditate on our various successes constitutes the greatest pleasure I am in the habit of experiencing as a general thing though one is apt to forget the various imminent dangers that threatened the Country then that is keep in view the actuall darke prospects of the country but to think of this and then to think of what would have been our condition if we had met with reverses instead of successes is enough to make a fellow sentimental.
Not found it as pleasant where a large force is camped oc
It wasnt our Country alone that was in danger but we ourselves, now I don’t mean in danger of getting all killed or not but our minds and characters, that is we would have changed entirely from ourselves to wretched, despondent, indifferent and would have got indolent. I have nothing more that I know to write or say and will therefore close.
Write soon again
Your Brother
F. Fischer
come to think of it I have a curiosity to know how you and the boy in general spend their leisure hours what book you read. that is what book game etc most interest you please write
Note: This letter includes a note to Augustus from his brother Frederick
