Franklin, Tenn.
Sept. 23rd, 1864

Dear beloved wife:

I take my pen in hand to write to you to let you know that I am well and hearty with the exception of a very bad cold which makes my head feel so dumb and stopped up that I can hardly think of anything. So if I do not write you an interesting letter, you will please excuse but I will try and do the best I can.

First I will tell you that I just now received your letter of the 28th ult. which was welcomed with the greatest pleasure to learn that you were all well. I was waiting a long time with patience and almost got impatient but at last the long looked for messenger came. I am glad you got my letters. I wrote you a letter on the 16th and gave you about all the particulars but I will try to find a little news. I got the money and stamps you sent me and the money is nearly all gone but I am glad that I am so that I do not need much.

You think I would rather chop wood than go to the front but I would not, for it is very lonesome away from the Co. here with the detachment we have about as good times as any soldiers need have. There is plenty of duty but it is not hard on picket about every other night, but we have good living we draw full rations of everything and we have sugar, coffee and bacon to spare and the citizens bring milk and butter and apples and potatoes and such things for to trade. We have had about all the apples peaches and melons that we could make use of but peaches are gone and people are beginning to gather their apples so that they will soon be scarce. We have a good cook that understands all kinds of cooking. There are nine of us in a mess and only two of my Co. The balance are of three or four different Cos. We have just been to supper and we had good biscuits and potatoes and thickened gravy and coffee and meat and the cook is fixing to bake some apple pies.

You say you have cool and a great deal of rain. Here we have cool and dry. I am very glad you have such a good garden. It will help you along a great deal. I would like to be there to eat some of your garden sauce and go to church with you. I am glad there is some prospect to get that bounty but I do not see how it comes that they will pay two hundred dollars, but the more the better. You ask shall you sell the cow. Yes I think I have told you in a previous letter to sell her or have her killed for Will Vanhorn told me that hay would be $30.00 per ton and at that rate she would eat her own head off. So I would say, dispose of her to the best advantage you can and it will be right if you will only get pay for her hide. About the house roof, you may do the best you know, for if it leaks you will certainly want a new roof, if you have money enough to get it put on. I am sorry you have such pain in your side and I think if you have no cow to take care of your work will not be so hard. I do not know whether I told you about getting some pins that were picked up by a little boy when I was at Nashville in the hospital. I sent him a letter and he answered it and sent me seven stamps and wants me to answer his letter which I must do and I will send you the letter by and by after I answer it and I will also send you a song that Ezra sent me.

One of my Co. who was married last spring and just cams away the same day is here and day before yesterday she came from Pennsylvania to see him. She brought a lot of canned fruit. They board at the hotel (or she does) and he brought some nice cherries over here. They are excellent with our biscuits. I have not seen her yet but I saw her photograph and that looks very well.

It looks very much like rain this evening and I expect to be on picket again tomorrow. I must try and finish my letter tonight. I am writing by candlelight. I am writing out of a bottle of ink that I bought in Nashville last spring but it is about all gone. I had my gold pen spoiled at Columbia and the other day I got it fixed again. I heard just now that there is an order for us to go to the front to join our Reg. but I do not put much dependence in it. Our troops gained a great victory over the Rebs in western Virginia and they are going to make another strike at Richmond and try and take that before the election. I suppose you have heard that Gen. Sherman took Atlanta with 13 pieces artillery.

Well I believe I have given you about all the particulars that I can think of. I would like to write a little letter to the girls, but hardly know what, but I hope they are good girls and learn to read and write so that they can write me a letter. I have made several rings for you and the girls which I intend to send before long. You have not said anything about Mariette, where is she or what is she doing.

With this I will come to a close in hopes this may reach you all well and in good spirits and that I may hear from you soon again. No more this time from your true and affectionate

Husband
George Kryder

To Elisabeth and all inquiring friends
My respects to all
Please write soon as you get this and direct
George Kryder
Franklin, Tenn.
in care of Lieutenant Brewster