Strawberry Plains, E. Tenn.

Jan. 19th, 1863

Dear Father,

Your last letter rec'd. by me from you was last evening dated Dec. 28th. You say you have not rec'd. a line from me since the 7th of Nov. neither have you heard anything of any in the Co. This is indeed as mysterious to me as to you. I had not written it is true from the 7th of Nov. until about the 23rd of Dec. as I wrote the reason why I could not write in a former letter to you. We were in pursuit of Longstreet and had not our knapsacks along nor could we procure any writing material until the 23rd of Dec. when I wrote my letter. Though you might have heard from others than from Daniel and me. David Yoder was left sick at Knoxville when we left on the 7th and he told me that he wrote home immediately after our departure. Wm. Achembach who was them detailed in the 2nd U. S. Artillery remained in KNoxville when we left and sent off several letters home as soon as the siege was raised and he told me last evening that he had rec'd. a letter from his wife and that she had rec'd. several letters from him after the siege. Where does the trouble lay. Whose fault is it that you do not get our letters when directed to Slifer P. O. and others get letters regular when directed to Elmisport. I have often thought that the [?unclear?] did not get all the letters intended for them if they had to be handled by the P. O. Master of Slifer P. O. The impression seems to prevail yet in many minds in our Co. whether any jealousy wstill exists in regards to the Union Co. and Lycoming Co. men yet. If there is it may account for the non-arrival of letters to and from Slifer P. O. but I hope you may have heard from us long ere this and your anxiety may be somewhat abated when you hear that we are alive and well and in good spirits.

You mention the reimbursement question in your last letter. Well, I have taken your advice and did not enlist. I studied the question day and night. It weighed heavily on my mind. I studied the question thoroughly on both sides. Strong inducements were held out to me to re-enlist. Good offers made to me by officers if I would enlist, etc. etc. But I thought it to be one of the most improtant cases to decide that I ever had before me. I am world for myself if ever. A young man in [?unclear?] life of my age can do far better than serving a military life for 3 years. In 3 years at home I may become fitted for some useful employment in life. Something that may be of benefit to me and to others. 3 years more may can ruin any young man of my age both morally and physically. Although I feel pretty well convinced that I am far healthier and have a much stronger constritution than when I left home. Yet 3 years more of as hard service as I have seen since I have been out will make me a cripple. These and many other reasons caused me to take a decided stand against re-enlisting and I am persuaded that I took the right courses though the excitement ran very high for a few days and caused the greater part of our Reg't to enlist and many who did enlist began to see their folly.

We were transferred from the 51st Pa. yesterday to the 11th N. H. V. where we now are all who did not enlist in our Reg't. We left yesterday morning. Our Reg't remained in camp and on picket duty. Our whole camp moved here yesterday from Blairs Cross Roads 12 miles nearer Knoxville along the R. R. so that we can get supplies handier. The cars now run from Nashville here (16 miles from Knoxville) and we are beginning to get more clothing and rations already. It was [?unclear?] hard to leave behind us yesterday morning many friends whom we had become united together like as if we were all brothers. And also to part from the old ragged, riddled, and battled scarred flag which we had fought under in many a hard fought battle. But we left all these cheerfully as only a soldier can do feeling that we had chosen the right course.

There are only 5 of our Co. with us who came along. H. C. McCormick, Dave Yoder, Wm. Achenbach, R. A. M. Harner and myself. I think we will be treated like gentlement both by offiers and men for there is not a more common set of people than these New Hampshire men to be found anywhere.

We are in a very fine place for a camp in the woods in plenty of good wood to burn and not far from the Holston River. I do not know how long we will remain here, but by all appearanced by the way they are fixing up camp we will likely stay for some time. We have not fixed up any yet, but I suppose that we will be ordered to fix up tomorrow.

I do not know what Co. we are going in yet, but you may direct your letters to me for the present H. B. Wetzell, 11th N. H. V., 9th Army Corps. As soon as I find out what Co. we belong I will tell you and give you different directions. I will write soon again to you. I am in most excellent health.

I am as ever,

Your affectionate Son,

Henry B. Wetzell

11th N. H. V., 9th A. C.