Camp Hancock                      

April 12 1864

 

Dear Laura

            Yours of the 4^th 5^th & 8^th April came all in one mail this evening. we have not had any mail in five days until to day. the recent heavy rains caused the streams to rise, which swept away the bridges between here and the Capitol, caused the delay in the mail. I am so happy to tell you that I enjoy good health and to sorry to hear of your being sick. I hope you may soon be restored to good health. I have dreamed recently of your being sick, and once that you was dead. it has caused me many sleepless hours. 

 

I have read your letters all twice over that I rec^d this evening they are so interesting I feel so much better since I heard from you, but I knew the cause of delay and waited patiently till it came

 

I do not censure you for the letter you wrote on the 4^th but had I not rec^d your other letters the same time I could have thought different. I assure you I always answer all your letters promptly, the same day I receive them if possible why should I not, I have most assuredly given you all the proof I could, ardently telling you how much I am devoted to you, how much I love you.

 

            Laura when I have once sufficient reason to doubt you, I shall tell you I will not delay in answering your letters, nor act in a pouting way / please understand me right. I love you truly. I do not think that any one could be more devotedly attached than myself to you. I dont only think of you when I am writing, but your image is constantly before me when I am in the camp or on the field, when I lay down to sleep, before I close my eyes I think of you and my Mother.

 

            please excuse me when I say, I hope you will not be distrustful of me in the future, but always think he still loves me and ever will.

you spoke of my parents and sister My parents respect you and family and as far as I know are perfectly satisfied as for Lib I do not know neither do I care if she is not satisfied. I dont think she can make it better as far as I am concerned. 

 

I am pleased that you like the pictures I sent you I shall send you more until you get enough to fill your album

 

I do not wish to say much about Sallie Bucher & Campbell fearing she may distrust the young Gent again, but I can tell you this much he has not yet received her letter neither do I think he ever will by what I heard him say. She insulted him highly in some way but what it is I am unable to say.

 

I do not entertain enmity against Sallie but she should be more careful how she expresses her opinion regarding uninterested parties. I did not like the way she spoke to Campbell concerning me, which I have told you, but I have overlooked all she said.

 

I think you have had a nice time moving I wish I could have been there to have helped we would have had a gaily time I assure you. I have to go to movings which I suppose you know without my telling you 

 

I rec^d the papers you sent me for which I have omitted to thank you, but I will do so now. they was interesting to read I also rec^d two this evening one from Mosser and the Democrat, supposing it came from the Editor.

 

I do not object to any one reading what I write, as regards my opinion on the prospect of the opening campaign, but I fear the letter I wrote to your Father was so poorly gotten up, the publick would laugh and think it silly. I care not what they do, neither do I feel ashamed for the publick to know my opinion.

 

I am so much delighted to know that your Parents respect me, and hope they will not disapprove of what I and you are doing at the present time. I so often / look back and think how kindly they treated me when I was there and the respect they have shown me since I have returned

 

this has been a beautiful day, the sun shone brightly all day. we had a good inspection at 11 A.M. and a Battery drill in the afternoon. we have so many new recruits and they make so much trouble to get them efficient in drill. I have I have ten of them in my detachment but they appear to be intelligent and I think they will soon learn.

 

the review I mentioned has not taken place but I look for it every day.

 

I have not heard from Brother Silas since the 17. March I think I shall go and see him in a short time you wished to know / how Persing came in the service. he went as a substitute for Abraham Steiner, a soninlaw of Daniel Conrad.

 

I must tell you of one of my men here by the name of Buckalew a cousin of the U. S. Senator. last evening he complained of being sick. at 8 A.M. one of his comrades came to me and said he was dying. I went for a surgeon quickly. he had twenty seven fits during the knight and to day we took him to the hospital, Just alive. the health of the old men is good but the recruits are are all complaining. the small pox has subsided but few cases are prevalent. the most of the sickness seems to be colds and home, which the recruits as well as the old men long for. 

 

I must soon close, the bugle has again sounded its too te too, which means lights out and go to bed

 

the boys all seems happy. Just now I heard one remark, I wonder what my poor Mother is doing this knight. I know many are this pleasant knight beneath the starry firmament of heaven, looking homeward with warm and loving hearts will never in this world see those whom they so fondly cherish and constantly looking to for future happiness.

 

I shall close please answer. Also remember me to your family from your most Affectionate and devoted friend

                                   

WHThurston

Battery F 1^st Pa Arty

2^d Corps

Washington DC

 

P.S. excuse all mistakes I have not read over the second time.

SOURCES