Camp Hancock                      

April 18, 1864

 

Laura, yours of the 15^th came to hand this evening indeed most welcome. I am to glad to know that you are so much better. I cannot tell you the suspense it caused me I constantly thought your illness might be more serious I am perfectly well as I generally have been since I left home. this has been a beautiful day. I went to Army Head Qrs. this forenoon to get Ordnance Stores to fit out the Battery for the campaign now soon to commence. everything is in confusion sutlers are going to the rear all civilians are ordered to leave the Army this looks like / going to work. there may be some delay but at the present time everything seems to indicate a forward move in the Army. I do not think that we can enjoy our comfortable Quarters many days longer, and the result of the move will without a doubt bring about a desperate battle. I hope and pray that our armies will be victorious I cannot for a moment think otherwise

 

I seen Brother Silas on the 16^th he is well, and appeared to be so glad to see me. they still lay in the old camp near Culpepper Court House I stayed with him all day and had a good dinner. Persing is not much better, and I think never can be he is not as he should be in fact silly. 

 

I had almost forgotten to day a little concerning Sallie Rucker & Freeman. I labor under the impression that Sallie wrote to him something alluding to me. I am not positive, but have been told, so it is this she tells him that he has been wrongly informed, and supposes, that I was silly enough to tell him that she requested him to write to her. this is a mistake he did not tell her so neither did I attempt the like, but this is just what appeared when he told me that he had written to her. but I could not help it

 

            I thank her for her trouble and hope hereafter she may leave me unintended out of her correspondence. I am sorry to make the above remarks but the / force of circumstances compels me to do so.

 

I do not think she will get one of the pictures she expects.

 

I have not had one letter from home since I came to camp I have written to all. I rec^d one from Embler.

 

we expect to go to Washington in a short time to fit a new Battery perhaps next week I think we will have a nice time. I think if we get there we may stay some time until we have all things arranged.

 

[faded, paper fold] the rations will be much better than here and good barracks.

 

please tell me wether your Pappa rec^d a letter from me also Joe & Sam. I am looking anxiously for answers. I would love to have an answer from him /

I am thankful for the picture I think it looks well. I have sent yours back, as you requested me to do so I shall send you one or two more for your album, also a small lock of my hair although it is short, but I thought I had better send it to you while I had the opportunity, not knowing what could happen until it would be longer.

 

I am glad that you still entertain feelings of love and respect for me I hope you may continue to love me. Still I do not think that I deserve the kindness and affection you have shown me, but I hope most sincerely that I can at some future day return and extend a hand and heart full of love to you. please do not think me silly for telling you this I do not think it in place for me to tell you so frequently that / I love you so tenderly. Still you know that I generally speak what I believe and intend, and in fact, when this subject comes to be discussed, I often express myself more freely than I should but I know even if you think so you will forgive me, I believe you are the only one knows what I tell you

 

I cannot change my mind as long as you prove to me as you have in the past. I always thought that at no time I was to much attached to you, and still think the best that could have happened was to separate us for a season giving time for reflection, as our situation at the time did not adapt itself to the circumstances but this is idle talk. I hope God will spare us both to meet at no distant day to share the destiny of this world, if not I hope in the paradise of heaven 

 

I must soon conclude hoping you will excuse this poor miserable letter I have strained my arm and it is almost impossible for me to write and were it not to you I would not answer until I could do better.

 

            remember me kindly to your family. from your friend and devotee,

                                   

WHThurston

Bty F 1^st Pa Arty

2^d Corps

Washington, DC

 

PS please answer

and tell me all

 

                        Laura M[?]

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