Camp on pleasant Hill            

April 30^th 1864

 

Laura,

            Yours of the 25^th was duly rec^d last evening. I was to happy to hear from you and family again. I always most anxiously await the arrival of the mail from Sunbury. it seems to brighten my prospects to hear from those whom I know are my friends.

 

            I enjoy the one great blessing so essential to the welfare of every soldier, namely good health, which I am delighted to learn, you possess. So long as we retain this blessing the time in camp passes in a degree unnoticed to the most of men. the weather is fair, although a calm still breeze is blowing, and the clouds indicate a rough storm. this may delay active operations for a time. All things seem to be ready. The most trying time in the history of / of the civil war has arrived. The destiny of the nation clings closely around the next struggle. if success crowns our arms we may look for an early peace, if otherwise, then all the sufferings and privation incidental to a war so mighty in proportion will be naught. our proud haughty leaders will protract the struggle until this fair land be deluged in blood, but why should we despair. the voice of an angel, much less that of a poor word, could be of no avail to impress these solemn thoughts and truths upon the minds of our people.

 

I do not think that the soldiers and friends will be deprived of the mail facilities for any length of time, at the longest not more than ten weeks when the Army moves. I did not know who to send my muster rolls to, for this reason I thought Mr Eagle belonged the committee relative to bounty. please tell me whether you / are aware that he rec^d the papers I sent him and who the committee is. I dont look to get the bounty but I wish to convince the people that I did give them my credit. I could have drawn $275 in Phil^a had I done as others, but I regarded my native home worthy of my credit.

 

I get both the Democrat and American regular, they are interesting. the daily papers come to camp every day. this is the day to muster the troops for pay throughout the Army. we were mustered at 9 A.M. for two months the pay day comes on the 20^th May. I am Sergt of the Guard to day and last knight. the news in camp is of little note. we had an old fashioned rice soup for dinner served up with beef. I thought of our oyster soups when at your house, every dinner time. I wondered how soon I could partake of another at the same place. 

 

I have not seen Brother since I last wrote to you he promised to come and see me but has not I only wish your Father would come to the Army and bring Joe along he would not regret his trip he should come about the time the great battle takes place, then he he could see something worth while I will now close please answer and excuse this short and poor letter my love to all the family

 

            your Friend

                        WHThurston

            Baty F 1^st Pa Arty

                        2^d Corps

via Washington D.C

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