The Letters of Felix Voltz (Feb 10, 1865)
Page Two
Page 2
On my journey home I shall endeavor to obtain an interview with him. I know that I shall be [stained spot] convince him that he has taken a wrong step, but then at the same time I think it will do him good in future years. I bet if he lives through his term of Service he will be as tame as a lamb. He has burnt his A-e now let him Sit on the Blisters. He does no one any injury but himself and if anything should happen to him he will have no one to blame but himself. But the idea that he enlists where he has all the proofs of my adventures in my letters of what I have endivered it is beyond discription but he will experience it himself His Regt. is before Petersburg in the worst Slaughter Pen He calls the Barracks Pigs Pens but he will find a difference in a Pigs Pen an a Slaughter Pen. If we were in Barracks we would consider ourselves comfortable. We had to build our own Shanties as he will have to do when he goes to the front in front of Petersburgh. he will not have any Peace for that Army is obliged get up every morning under Arms all Brideld & Saddled or every thing Picked up and ready to repulse an attack or move at moments notice. such will be his new situation that he speaks of but he will find it a very disagreeable situation. He has not seen any thing of Soldiering yet nothing compard to what I have seen as for any advice that I can give him will be of no importance But this. how to behave in a Battle and that is stand right up and face the music and not skeedadle for the rear for in 5 out of 10 cases there is more danger in running to the rear or Saulking behind some others of behind a tree than there showing a bold resistance. I have [stained spot] thing and in all cases or very near all the [stained spot] is the first
