| Here is the letter from
Arza Harrison Tyler. It's to his brother Joseph, when he was at Camp Read,
Tennessee, in March of 1863.
I have attached the text. The ???? question marks in the
text are where the text was illegible. This was transcribed for our family by a
woman who holds the original letter, that her g-g-grandfather Joseph received
from Arza. She sent the transcribed text of the letter to us as follows.
Camp Read near Jackson, Tenn March the 28 1863
Dear Brother it is only a few days since
I wrote to you, but as I could send a letter up there by
Edward Ashline who has got his discharge and is going to start for home
Monday I thought I would send a few lines by him to let you know that I am well
and hope this will find you the same. I suppose you have seen Sam Benjamin
by this time and he can tell you a great deal more than I can write, we had a
very heavy rain last night but the weather is fine today we have had some very
warm days here, nearly as warm as any we had in Iowa last summer, but the
weather is cool now. The fruit trees are in full bloom and the forest is
getting quite green the singing of the birds in a clear morning is really
delightful. The grass is growing nicely and is large enough so that the
cattle can get a good living. The talk is that we are doing to be paid off
in a few days but I don't know whether we will or not, we have heard that so
often and never seen any money, but I hope it may be true for there are a great
many men in our regt. That their families need the money for their support and
when men have left their homes and friends and all the comforts and blessings of
a peaceful quiet home and offered their service and their lives in defense of
their country and her rights, I think they ought to have what little pay is
promised them.
There is some talk of our being mounted onto horses but we
don't know yet whether we will or not. That would suit the most of the
boys but it would not quite suit me ??? I can stand riding better than I used
to, you remember about how I could stand riding that time we rode from ??? over
to Rufuses last summer.
Joseph it may be that you have some notion of enlisting.
If you have I would advise you to keep out of the army but you need not say
anything about this advise nor let anyone read it. I can't think of
anything more to write this time. I want you to write me a long letter as
soon as you get this and write all of the news.
Oly sends his respects to you all.
From Arza H. Tyler
To Joseph Tyler
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