Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865 to Lodema

Writes from Camp Chase. A warm and spring like morning; it is raining very gently. Located in a very fertile portion of Ohio, but it is not nearly as pleasant as other parts of Ohio are. Writes that "no hills in any direction are visible. There is not so much thrift nor neatness nor enterprises manifested here by the people as on the Reserve." Misses the neat and comfortable farm dwellings and the tidy yards and gardens. Judging from what he can see in the vicinity of the camp, there is not much fruit growing. All the men except for Luther Dickinson are healthy. There is nothing new or exciting recently. States that prisoners continue to arrive daily; 200 prisoners were brought in from Island Number 10 the other day. About the same number of prisoners was taken to Johnson's Island. The prisoners from Island Number 10 are more intelligent and better dressed than any other prisoners that have been brought there in the past. The bushwhackers from Western Virginia are the hardest customers because they are not half civilized. Writes that "Parson Brownlow was here the other day and spoke to the soldiers and to the prisoners. He has no doubt but what the rebellion will soon be crushed out but there is a terrible vengeance awaiting the leading rebels of the South and they will fight with desperation but it is of no avail. They are bound to go down." The Adjutant General has gone to Washington, and they are all impatiently awaiting his return because they expect he will bring orders for the disposal of their Regiment. Writes that "the Colonel says it is one of two things: either to be armed and sent into the field or sent home." Partly hopes that they will soon be disposed of in some shape. They may know today or they may know in a couple of weeks. Many are still christening the hope that they will be armed, but Bettes does not entertain any such ideas. Everyone is waiting with intense anxiety for the results of Burnside's Expedition. Believes that the Union will be in possession of Norfolk, Richmond, Yorktown, Savannah, Mobile, New Orleans, Corinth, Memphis, and Chattanooga by 1 May 1862, but Bettes also knows that he might be expecting too much. The 2nd Lieutenant hired a colored man by the name of Martin to care for his house and to cook for the soldiers. They concluded that at this moment they could take care of their own affairs without any assistance. Will have to pay Martin $30, but Bettes will get this all back and more in the end. Tells his wife to tell Charley and Carrie, their children, that their Pa will be home to see them sometime soon.