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Camp near Nashville, Tenn: Dec. 14th 1864. My dear friend: Your letter, dated Nov. 29th, but postmarked Dec. 6th, reached me by last night's mail. I had grown anxious about you, not having heard from yourself or Sister for so long a time; and during our occupation of Columbia I wrote a brief letter of enquiry which, as you make no mention of its receipt, must, I fear have miscarried. But I am very glad to hear from you, and to learn that your silence was not caused by any of those things which sympathetic imagination suggested. - You have before this learned the particulars of the terrible battle of Franklin, and the distinguished and honorable part which my Regiment bore in it. I think you dwellers of the Lake City ought to be proud of the record we have won. It is a Chicago Regt., you know; and I trust that to those few who live to return home upon the expiration of their term of service, now a little less than nine months, the city will extend a hospitable and hearty welcome. You have my sincere thanks for the trouble yoiu gave yourself in executing the Commission I burdened you with: the package will doubtless arrive safely. Could I have foreseen that the issues of the Campaign would have brought us here I should not so have taxed your courtesy. Col. Smith received a letter from Col. Sherman by the mail which brought yoiurs; and I heard from him a little while ago. It is