Camp Hancock                      

March 17 1864

 

Laura

            Your kind letter came to hand this evening, which I anxiously looked for when the mail came, and had much pleasure in reading it. I am well but feel sorry to hear that you are not well and hope ere this reaches you, you will be well

 

            I noticed in yours that the small pox was back in Sunbury. There is several cases in our Company, three were taken in [paper torn away] to the hospital and [torn] many more will [torn] some new recruits [torn] from Phil^a. 

 

You wished me to tell you about that deserter. his sentence has been revoked by the President and he has been sentenced to be sent for the remainder of his time to work at Tortugas Island Fla. without pay and live on bread & water.

 

I am to sorry to hear that Mrs. Curtis is so ill and hope she may yet recover. it would be hard for the family to lose so good and kind a Mother. I am to sorry to hear of so much dissention and quarrelling among the people at home. you cant tell how it hurts me to hear of mobs and riots, here [torn] are sacrificing all that [torn] and dear, in fact our [torn] end this cruel war [torn] the encampment [torn] home is to hear of [torn] / all which has a tendency to prolong the war to an indefinite period but I hope the good people may soon see the error of their ways and become fixed and settled on the one great point, and unite as brothers, for the Union and the Constitution, like of old, and I firmly believe victory would perch upon our banners, and peace dawn among us, at an early day.

 

            I did not intend you to understand that I did not wish to write to so many of your family. this is my delight, but I merely said they might think I had nothing to do but write. I have written to your father, [torn] I also intend writing [torn] as possible. [torn] am pleased to hear [torn] Sallie Row has at last [torn] prize which she has / according to all appearances, long and anxiously sought for. well I wish her all the happiness she anticipated and hope she has made a good choice.

 

you mentioned the fact that I had something to do with the letter Freeman wrote to Sallie I did not see what he wrote but he requested me to address it for him which I done, but was sorry for it afterwards thinking she would recognize it and think I was instrumental in the work. I hope she will not think so I had nothing to do with it and knew not his intentions until he brought it to me and made the above request. I am glad [torn] think it so grand and [torn] they may have [torn] correspondence, in [torn] one. please tell me [torn] She thought in regard [torn] and all about it in your [torn] he is not married to [torn] save Uncle Sam for the [torn]

SOURCES