Letter from Linus Patrick to John B. Patrick

Franklin Tennessee
April 15th, 1863

Dear Father

Lucy's letter of April 10th containing Internal Revenue Stamps was received to day and I hasten to send you an answer I believe I wrote you a few lines since we had the brush here last friday but to tell you the truth I have been so awful busy the last few days that I cannot remember to day what I did yesterday - I want you to take that picture to Bellefontaine and get those photographs taken right off. I wish you had not waited to write to me for you might have known I wanted them but get them taken now - Last sunday we drew plenty nice substantial clothing and on Monday we received two months pay - So we are well clod and have plenty of "Green Backs" in our pockets Uncle Sam has given us good clothing & paid us up to the lst of March and why should we not be contented & happy & willing to fight for him - I sold that note for $220 cash & I drew two months pay which was $40 making in all $260. I sent home $150 by the State Agent the receipt for which you will find in this letter, I kept $110 as I may need some this money you will draw through the County Auditor you will probably receive this letter before the money reaches Ohio as the Agt is not going to leave here until next Monday & I saw a Regt of East Tennessee Cavalry lost Saturday Father why is it that those men, who live in the very heart of rebellion & are surrounded on all sides by Rebels and traitors rush to the support of our common country and are willing to lay down their lives for the preservation of the glorious liberties we enjoy while hundreds & thousands of men in the great loyal state of Ohio where the iron hell of oppression has never trampled them in their wish openly avow their sympathies for [Jeff Davis and his] rotten confederacy?

The day of Retribution is coming when the home traitors of the North will meet their just reward - Hell with its wide extended jaws is gaping to receive the cowardly, traitorous wretches - The Butternut ticket "Kinder played out" did it? Bully for that - Some person wrote to one of our Company that there was not a Rebel Sympathizer in Rushcreek Township heaven only knows I hope it is true - Lieut Henderson 1st Lieut of Company "A" of our Regiment has been assigned to the command of our Co and I am glad of it for it takes the responsibilities off of my shoulders

He is a good officer and a noble hearted fellow, he has been recommended for Capt of our Company, the boys all like him first rate & he & I get along as well as two men possibly could - he lives in Union Co Ohio - he is acquainted with Jesse Roberts as he is a member of the Campbellite Church - when you receive the money of which I am sending home I want you to pay all the debts I owe - you can then post this notice up in the Post Office - Ask John McColloch if he rec'd that letter & if he wrote to west - I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will soon close hoping to hear from you very soon - Direct as usual Nashville Tennessee to follow Regt - My love to the family & respect to all my union friend

Yours for the Union Unconditionally
L. Anthony Patrick
Co. "K" 121st O.V.I.
Right Brigade
Gen Gilberts Command
Franklin Tennessee

Postscript bottom right corner: I understand that the reason the Rebels made that dash the other day was that they had heard we had but twenty five hundred men here but I rather guess if they should count them they would find that many thousand

Post script bottom left corner: old Johnny Wintz the way worn warstained & weather beaten soldier is married is he? He [illegible] a gay old soldier if he was married along with a full Knapsack & tired to death I should see some old horseshoes lying in the road he would nick them up He used to do that in Kentucky