Murfreesboro, Tenn. Apr. 16, 1863

Dear Pet.

Your letter of 10th reached me to day, I am very much discouraged at the top of our house. I do not see how it could have caught fire. I wish you would get John Stewart to see how much it will cost to rebuild it. If the upper part only is destroyed, and the lower part will do to repair, I would like to have the upper part built two feet higher than before, so that the bed room’s (sic) will be higher. I do not know how I shall spare the money to rebuild with. I have sent to David all my savings to pay claims against us, but I cannot bear to think that we have no home. I had thought that my sacrifices for our good government were as much as I could well undergo without being discouraged, but this must also be endured. I tried to get a leave of ten days to make arrangements to rebuild. My application was approved until it reached Gen. Rosecran’s (sic), to whom I presented it in person. His reply was “we can’t spare you, the Gov’t, might better build you a half dozen houses than to have you away ten day’s (sic).” So you see that the more value one is to our Gov’t. the less value he is to himself. I start in the morning on another expedition but, I’ve not got our pleasant little home to fight for now, yet its ashes are as sacred, and as valued when associated with liberty, as the proudest, palace, could be. Mr. Forsythe & (illegible) Ross have been here on a visit to the 68th and 17th. I was delighted to see them. They started home today, they both promised to come and see you when they reached home. They will explain how impossible it is for me to leave here. I would have liked to come home long enough to make arrangement’s (sic) to rebuild our house, but it cannot be. I have had a severe cold, but am now on duty. Don’t let the loss of our home annoy you too much, it’s all for the best. If my life is spared, and the rebellion put down, we will yet enjoy many happy years, I hope. Give my kind regard’s (sic) to all the friends, kiss our children for me and write particulars of our loss and as soon as possible write the cost of rebuilding

As ever, truly your Husband

J.T. Wilder