Near Harrisonburg, Va.

March 11^th, 1864

 

Dear Cousin Mary

                                    Your agreeable letter of Jan'y 18^th has been duly hunted up and read with much pleasure notwithstanding its age. What a pity that one who writes so pleasant a letter should put her epistolary light under a bushel—at least as far as her Texas cousin is concerned! Is it not?

 

            You make a very modest request concerning my confidence &c. & which shall be duly weighed, reflected, and reported upon. Indeed I am thinking of conducting the whole affair through you using your influence to cultivate her for me &c. Let me know on what terms you'll undertake the matter—what length of time it will require—whether you'll receive your commission in currency or demand specie &c. You know, all that will be interesting to me. 

 

I arrived here yesterday after a disagreeable trip per RR & stage. The locomotive was oblidged to stop occasionally to gather breath & consequently made slow time, preventing me on account of the lateness of the hour from accepting your invitation to take tea in Staunton. He courted me considerably and of course I—woman-like—acted "yes" but did not say so. It is very pleasant to be courted and I don't wonder that ladies should be tempted to flirt a little occasionally!

 

            At Staunton every thing is on the "European plan" which means $5 for a dirty bed & $6 for a scanty allowance meal of meat and bread & bogus coffee. I had thought of taking a European tour after the war, say as a bridal trip, but have half abandoned the idea after my experience of the discomforts and inconveniences of the "European plan" at Staunton.

 

Found both my horses much improved in condition and the one which had the foot-evil (a dreadful disease) entirely cured. One of the gentlemen declined to receive the reward which I had agreed to pay him ($1 per day) on the premise that the horse had / not eaten as much as he had expected and would only take $25—instead of $40—I told him he was a most singular man & deserved to be indulged in his excentricities and to show my appreciation of his character would immediately send him another horse—which he readily agreed to keep for me as long as his grain lasted. Saw a man today who is paying $100 per month for his horse & another paying $150.⁰⁰

 

            I find that our Company has been over in Hardy & Pendleton for the last two weeks. Four days ago they had a severe little fight with twenty five of the Ringold (Yankee) cavalry attacking them in front and rear but the rascals fought like demons & we only captured seven yanks & fifteen horses—the balance of the yanks taking to the mountains. Only two yanks reached this camp mounted the remainder having had their horses killed, wounded, captured or lost. We had two men wounded one slightly the other seriously. Yankee loss not known though good deal of blood seen on the path of their retreat. The command continues its operations over there. I go over day after tomorrow 

 

Don't let this prevent your writing however, as our mails will be sent to us from Harrisonburg—address to "M^cNeill's Partisan Rangers". But it's almost a pity to have spoilt so good an excuse for yourself and Father! Forgive me however—your fertile imagination can no doubt get up one equally as good (?) unless you have run out.        Oh! Cousin Mary, you promised to give me the words of "Whither or No": please copy and send to me in your next—will you?

 

I am glad to see notices of Chas' graduation, per Richmond papers. If he can pass the "Board" which examines for a commission as readily, I shall be pleased. 1500 cavalry stationed at Petersburg becoming alarmed at M^cN's movements (with 50 men) have evacuated the place again. Love to your Father & Mother and to Miss Lucy Davis, whom I regret not having seen on my recent visit. When you see or write Miss Bell express my sentiments &c—you know! Write soon to your aff coz            WMT

 

[notation: Henry Martyn Trueheart]

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