Camp Hancock                      

April 9. 1864

 

Laura,

            This is a rough and stormy night. I thought I could not pass the evening more pleasant than to write you a short letter, the time seems so long until taps, unless I do some thing. I am well and the men in the Company are mostly healthy. the small pox has not spread. I think we are out of danger

 

            I never knew of so much stormy weather it rains all the time. I can scarcely keep my paper dry to write this letter. the rain beats through the tent. we are in camp on a little hill and it looks like a river around us the rivers look like an ocean Campbell thinks we will go down stream 

 

W H Trump is writing to his girl and would like to know who I am writing to. I told him I would tell him at some other time when I had nothing to do

we had expected to have a grand Review to day at ten O'clock but the storm prevented it we were all ready to go when the order was countermanded. I was all wet being out getting things ready. I look for the Review to take place as soon as the weather will permit Lieut Gen Grant will be present with a host of others of his wate, perhaps Uncle Abe. I would like to see the old Gent again as it has been some time since I seen him. I will tell you all about it as soon as it takes place. I suppose there will be one hundred thousand men in line. I wish you could be here to see for ten minutes / to see so vast a body of men in a solid body, indeed it is a beautiful sight. the many different standards floating in the breeze and above all that beautiful emblem the flag of our country, mingled among so many gleaming bayonets, adds to its grandeur, but what a sad change will there be when this same body of noble men meet the foe in the field of strife. Many who stood in the pride of manhood will lay a lifeless corpse. perhaps maimed for life, bleeding and dying, indeed some will entreat their comrades to put an end to their sufferings. these are not pleasant thoughts, but I have witnessed all such sights and expect to again. but God forbid that this should long continue. I hope the people of these States may soon unite and be one. 

 

I must tell you of the dream I had last knight and close. I thought you was dead and I helped to dig your grave. I cannot pretend to tell you my feelings I could not sleep after my dream.

 

            I cannot account for this singular dream unless your Fathers telling me of your being sick caused me to think of this. I hope you may be well and enjoy all the blessings of this life in the future.

 

            please answer soon and tell me the news, my love to you and family.

 

            from your friend, and devoted,

                                               

WHThurston

Bty F 1^st Pa Arty

2^d Corps

Washington D.C.

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