May 21, 1864
Chattanooga, Tenn
Dear parents, sisters and brothers,
I received the message in Meri’s letter and am happy to see that you are
all healthy. Thank God for that.
I am also well and hope this letter will find you in the best of health.
I already told you that we moved from the old camp to a new one.
We built a new shack for ourselves, better than the one before, there
are 6 of us here together and it is quite comfortable.
We have a "Ruscher Shanster", good beds and a table and benches
to sit upon. We had to steal all
that we have except for the roof which is canvas.
I’ll tell you how we got everything.
One man had to stand guard while the others took
things and then we had to carry it by night and fog across the camp.
We often risked our lives because our orders are very strict.
I tell you we belong to the 2nd brigade and first reserve company,
but to what division I do not know. I think maybe we don’t belong to one. The brigade consists of the 44th and 29th
Indiana regiment and the 68th & 18th Ohio regiment,
these 4 make up one brigade and all are here together.
The 68th is across the river but close by.
Tomas is our first general and Stedman our second, who is in charge of
the whole army from here to Nashville.
Dear parents, I have to tell you that soon there will be a battle around Nashville
or about 30 miles from here, what is called the "Stroberiklens".
A very big army of ours moved in there.
Gerneral Lee told Jeff Davis that he cannot last much longer.
Perhaps it will all end soon. I
tell you, time goes by here very slowly and a day seems like a week.
Dear family, I have some time to write today.
I was on guard yesterday and last night till 9:00 this morning, then I
went to camp and slept till the lieutenant work me up and gave me your letter.
I did not go back to sleep but I will write back to you now. Dear parents, I thank you with all my heart for taking such
good care of my wife and children, and also my sisters and brothers.
I am glad that you all get along so well.
Dear parents, I am curious if you have kept my tool box and drill at
home.
I’ll close now with a thousand greetings and wish
you all good luck and health till we are all happily together again.
Your loving son and brother
Johannes Weiss