Camp Hancock                      

March 15^th 1864

 

Laura your kind letter came to hand this evening which I read with much pleasure. I am well and the men in the Company are well, save some cases of small pox. four of our men were taken to the Hospital, and I fear it will spread through the Company, and perhaps through the entire Army. it was brought here by some recruits from Phil^a. The weather has been nice except some rain. this has been a beautiful day. the birds are singing and all looks happy and gay. the men are talking about the good times they had at home, and wondering how soon we may be permitted to go again / one thing certain many who have been home to meet smiling faces will never see home again this is often a subject of discourse among the soldiers and it makes me feel sad.

 

I noticed a middle aged man who has a family and several small children looking anxiously at some pictures and remarked that no doubt I have seen them for the last time, when tears commenced to roll down his cheeks. but this is one instance out of thousands more affecting that occur every day in the Army, and I have no doubt that the pictures of kind fathers and friends are looked upon with deeper anxiety at home than here. I have I believe I have the first soldier to see who had not some ones photograph among his things, to look at and remind him of home. 

 

Laura dont tell anyone that I told you about coming home, and getting a commission. I may be disappointed and I would not like everyone to know that I based so many calculations on uncertain things. I do not wish to give anyone a chance to pass remarks about me, as I have told the people that I was a M^c man, and no doubt the Rep^bs will try to injure my character, can they get the least possible hold on me to do so. Some of the good people of Danville and Columbia County are using all means to injure Lieut Brockway, calling him all kind of names, and braver / and better man never lived. I pity him. I do not expect to come home unless I get a commission, and then I dont care who sees me. no one can say but what I earned my promotion, and did not do as many do, get it with money, or some influential friends. I can tell you all about it when Capt Ricketts returns.

 

I must now close tis getting late and I must go to bed My love to all the family. please answer soon

 

            I remain your friend

                                    WHThurston

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