Camp 160^th N.Y. Vols

Summit Point Va. Feb. 25^th 1865

 

Friend Tucker.

                        So long a time has elapsed since I've heard of or from you that we might be excusable if we forgotten each other. I have been going to write you ever since we have been in Winter Quarters but kept postponing until now. We are all well that is what's left of us here, fighting in the Valley has thinned our ranks considerably. three of the wounded Wolf, Eickhoff & Richards are absent yet. We have lost some of our best men here and we miss them very much. We are guarding the R.R. from Harpers Ferry to Winchester it is a good place and the duties are not very unpleasant but it is lonesome. About the only enjoyment or relief we have is the good news of our successes in other Departments and that is a continual feast—isn't it glorious? Charleston the nest in which was hatched this damnable rebellion has met with a just retri- / bution. What a pity that the fire didn't make a clean thing of it. Sherman is doing things in good style and if he keeps on for a few weeks more he will pen the rebels up in Richmond. It seems to me though that there must be a large battle fought before many days. they must fight or be penned up in Richmond to fight Sherman is to be whipped. Well everything looks bright at present and I think by the expiration of our time we shall have peace. I like it in this Department in many respects better than in La. The climate at this season is not so pleasant then, there is a considerable more fight to the acre. There is but our Division of our Corps here. Groves is at Savannah. we have expected some to be sent to Charleston. I hope we may go there it would help to pass the time and I think we should see less fighting there than here. What are you doing now the last I heard of you you were in the Marine Hospital. I shall direct this there. I have a favor to ask—I sent—when we came down from Morganzia—Capt Van Dusens sachel to Mrs Woods 203 Canal St. expecting that Lt Vaughn would send it home but he did not have time to do it. It is there now I expect. Peter Van Dusen wrote to Mrs Wood requesting her to send it by express but has / not received the sachel nor heard from her.

 

            I would like to have the sachel sent home to his brother. If you will call there and see if she has it yet and if she has take it and write to me or to Peter Van Dusen telling the charge for sending it by express we will send the money, or if the express co will send it without prepaying charges send it now. I will send an order with this. The name was on the sachel. there is nothing of much value in it, a sash is the most valuable. there is a haversack blouse socks a package of letters a light quilt and some photographs and a few other articles. I presume Mrs Wood will let you have it though if the name is not on it. I want to hear from you any way, how you are enjoying yourself and what you are doing &c. I heard you were home. Did you have a good time? Well we shall all be home within a year, providence permitting, to enjoy a peace, I sincerely hope, that we have made so many sacrifices for. I must close hoping to hear from you soon and that you are well and enjoying life and health to it fullest extent.

                                                                                   

Your Friend

J. Horton Miller

Direct Co A 160^th NY 2^d Brig 1^st Div 19 A.C.

                                                Washington DC

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