Walnut Hills June 21^st 1863

 

My Dear Wife Emelia

                                    I have received the valise and contents all right. every thing came as safe as I could wish and the clothes all suit me exactley but the boots they are rather to small. I can sell them though and I have a pair that will do me very well so I do not care so much, but every thing you made me is just a fit. I could not keep back the tears when I unpacked them. I almost thought I could see you makeing them for me. God bless you Emelia how can I ever do enough to pay you for all you have done for me. I will tell you what I will do. I will try and be a good and true man and love all mankind. I will do my duty as a soldier, and if I live will return to you as soon as I can honerabley and will make you as happy as I can. Today is Sunday and the Col. inspected the Reg. I fixed up in my best and all the Officers and men wanted to know whare I got my new clothes and the shirts in peticular they thought wer the best they had seen. I felt proud to tell them that my wife made and sent them to me. they thought I had a good wife and I told them I thought so to. Gulick says he had a fine time and found all well and prospering in Iowa. We expect a mail from home tomorrow and I shall sureley get a letter from you for I did not get one last mail though I got a short one in the valise. The butter catsup strawbereys &c wer all nice and will do me much good. Dr Ireland was here today he said he passed the little white house a few days ago and every thing looked pleasant. We wer paid yesterday two months pay. My pay as Lieut. for servant and everything amounts to $110.^50/100 per month less a tax of 3 per cent which leaves $107.^18/100. I got one months Sargents pay and one Lieutenants. I am oweing some / here and must keep some to us till next pay day but I shall send all I possibley can either by Dr. Ireland or Capt. Johnson I will let you know how much I send and by who before I close this letter. I have nothing new to write. there are a great many reports but we dont know as any of them are true. The report was last night that we had been fighting Johnson in the rear, whiped him, and took a large number of prisoners. I do not believe it for I think Johnson is not a fool and if he is not he never will come in on our rear, for we are ready for any force they are able to bring. Yesterday we shelled the Rebs for over 4 hours along the whole line. it was the heaviest canonadeing I ever heard I was on piquet and had a good chance to see and hear. I hope we shall be in Vicksburg before I write again though I shall write soon if I am not on duty to much. How is the colts and all the stock I wish I was there to see them I hope they will get over the distemper Take good care of yourself and dont work to hard. The syringe I prize very highley it will be a benefit to a great many. I let a man use it this morning that was very bad he thinks it is going to help him. Good night Emelia

 

June 22. I shall send by Capt Johnson $60.00 I think and perhaps more but next time we are paid I can send nearley all and we shall be paid within 2 months from now 2 months pay. I am going to send you my picture the first chance I have to have it taken. I can write no more this time. My fond regards to all, Grandmother Jones Mrs Palmer (& Mr) Mr & Mrs Wallace, Richard & Wife and Schuylers folks in peticular. God bless you and the little ones

 

Ever your own true

George

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