Murfreesboro, Tenn.
March 15, 1863

Dear Wife

It is with great pleasure that I am seated to drop a few lines to let you know that I am well and hearty and hope these few lines find you the same; I rec'd. two one of the 24th and one of the 28th and a few lines from Father and I was glad that you were well but I am sorry that you and Father have such a poor opinion of the war, for I know that we have men enough to whip the rebels to death if they are only a mind to do so, but there are so many to the north that are trying to discourage the soldiers all they can and if they would try to encourage them instead, this war would be ended long ago for they discourage the soldiers they encourage the rebels and that prolongs the war. But for all their discouraging and disheartening the soldiers I think yet that we can whip them out, for we are going to make another forward movement soon and if the rebels will stand and fight we will whip them so bad that they will not stand to fight our gallant General Rosecrans.

I will now tell you that we just came in from a 11 days scout yesterday. The first day we ran into a rebel camp in a sabre charge and took some 72 prisoners and all their wagons and camp equipment and that we burned all that we could not bring away with us. And after that we scouted around driving the rebels on every expedition and at last drove them across Duck River and then we came back to this place. The 3rd Ohio did not lose a man but the 4th Ind. and the 4th Regular lost a few men.

We lived well all the time we were out. When we wanted meat we would go to the smokehouse of some Rebels and get hams and honey and eggs and potatoes so that we had just as good living as I would ask for. But yet for all that it is not like sitting down to your nice clean table with everything nice and clean. But do not despair for I think that I can get a furlough before long. For the Adjutant General says that all the orderlies shall have furloughs and one from our Company is orderly for Gen. Wood and he says he don't want to go home, and I think I can go in his place. But do not despair if I should not come for if I can I will have my likeness taken and send it to you.

Coming back to camp yesterday we passed the 74th Ind. about a mile to our left but did not have time to go and see Samuel [he](like many other new soldiers) is very tired of the service and that is what is the matter of our Army. If the new troops would pitch in and fight like the old ones do, the rebels would not last long for they say some of our old Regs. like the 3rd and 4th Ohio do not know when they are whipped.

Our Paroled Boys have all come back and we have 58 men in our Company again and today we drew 25 new Carbines. The rebels hate to get in contact with the 3rd Ohio. They say that our short guns shoot wicked.

I have not much more to write this time but will tell you that on the 28th March we got 4 months pay and I sent you $40.00 by Captain Colver. I drew fifty dollars and 85 cts. They settled up our clothing and they took $1.14 out of my wages. Now you wrote about money not being worth much and you seem to be afraid that greenbacks will break, but don't believe it for they are the best money except gold and silver.

I am glad you sent me them eight stamps for I was out. You say that you sent me some week before last, but I did not get them if you did. I know it must be hard work for you to write so many letters, but you must not sit too at a time. You said you ought to write to Uncle Jonas. I wrote to him some since, but got no answer yet. You wrote to me how many letters you had from me, but I know I wrote more than that. But I do not think it is our head men that destroy the letters but carelessness in our postmasters.

I shall be sorry if you will have to move this spring, but if I can I will come and see you. But there is no certainty yet. I was glad to see the locks of our little girls but I would rather see them than their hair. But I think I will before long. I have your picture yet and when I feel a little down hearted I look at it and that relieves my heavy thoughts.

Henry is well but you would hardly know us for we are all tanned as black as Indians. The boys are well and hardy and in fine spirits and if we should get in another fight the rebels will have to suffer.

Well, I have not much more to write this time. Lillie, when I can get away from here I will come home a little while to see you and Ma and little Mary. Then we will have a nice time of play and you must be a good girl to Ma and little Mary. No more at present but remain as ever your true and affectionate

Husband
George Kryder