Head Qrs 2^nd Division 23^rd A.C.

Camp near Mosely Hall March 28^th 1865

 

A mail has arrived bringing some papers sent by you dear wife but no letters. The papers were dated the 10^th & 11^th which is later than any of your letters. I am disappointed now so frequently in regard to the receipt of your letters, that it has gotten to be the exception when a letter arrives. Fretting will not mend the matter however and I must have patience. A letter today would have been welcomed more than usual as I do not feel atall well. I have no disease but feel worn out with loss of appetite and general depression of the body and mind. The doctor has prescribed a tonic of [?], quinine & whiskey which / I am to commence with in the morning. I shall be all right in a day or two. My duties here are very simple but at times laborious to perform. My division guards the railroad out from this point some fourteen miles and of course is strung out quite a distance from right to left and it takes quite hard riding to keep posted in regard to the whole line. I hope this duty will soon be rendered unnecessary either by the end of the war, or the advance of Sherman towards Richmond. All the papers I have lately received speak very hopefully of our immediate success, and my faith is very strong that the end is very near. What a happy day that will be that terminates this war, and releases us from this / forced absence from home and those we love best. I am glad dear wife that your mother has visited you, and have no doubt you will derive great comfort from her being with you. Her visits however are generally so short that I am afraid she has already returned home. You must make her promise to be with you in July, and remain for a good long visit. I shall be there too if within the range of possibility. I am already beginning to count the weeks as it seems shorter to calculate in that way than by months. It will only be a little over thirteen weeks from today to the first of July when I shall expect to start for home, unless indeed we should end the war sooner which I really believe will be done. / I cannot see how the rebels are to get through the month of May. By that time Sherman and Grant will have certainly united unless positions & circumstances greatly change in the next few weeks, and their junction closes all hope for Genl Lee. How happy it would make me to spend the anniversary of our marriage together. I am afraid the anniversary presents are getting so far ahead of me whilst my ability to make them is all the time growing less that I shall never catch up. In July another one will be due, and what can I give you for my little Sow. You see I have decided already for I take it for granted you are going to proceed in the regular channel. Love to Lindy & your Mother & children with loving good night kisses to darling wife                                         M^cLean

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