H^d Qrs. Baty No 14

Jan 26^th 1865

 

My Own Laura.

                        I have rec^d your kind and interesting letter dated 22^nd Jan this evening. I have been looking so anxiously for the last four days to hear from you I could not contrive what caused the delay as I was sure you would answer so soon as you rec^d mine, but now my suspense has ended at least for a few short days. I am quite well, the Doctor thinks I look much better than at any other time since I have been in the service. I am to sorry to hear that you are not well and I know that bad colds will be injurious to your health as your lungs are not in condition to bear it. please be very careful, do not go out and get wet feet. you know I am interested in your welfare and wish / you well. I am quite sure had I continued as I did when I left your fathers employ until to day I would not be long for this world, but I am now and have for the last two years been careful in regard to my health, and I can truly say I enjoy at the present better health. My mind seems more composed than at any other time. the last year I lived with you I spent in restlessness. I did not enjoy one happy hour save when I slept. Although my nature would not allow me to express my feelings nor tell my troubles, for this reason I resolved to join the Army, and not return until such times as I could better control my passions and be more resolute and ready to overcome all difficulties. I succeeded and since I have felt more like a man and enjoy my time more pleasantly. I have a strange nature, I am always longing to do something to make me / more happy. When I know that any person dislikes me I have no rest until it is adjusted. I am always thinking of my poor Parents, and I know tis my duty to look after their welfare. they are getting old. I have two little sisters & three Brothers. they should go to school but I know it will go with them as it did with the rest of the family, as Father is not able to send them. Embler has Elias with him but he is like Father, he says learn to read and write a little and thats sufficient. So not one will get a classical education, and must depend upon hard work for their support. I never had a grammar book, nothing but an old arithmetic & spelling book, during my school days and all my writing for this reason must be full of grammatical errors, but again tis not worth while for me to trouble about those things as I cannot better it. 

 

Laura, this is a cold night the ground is frozen hard the ponds are covered with ice, but we have had no snow. Piquett firing continues I am slightly disturbed every little while with volleys of musketry and whizzing of balls close by but I have good works and feel safe from harm or dangers.

 

I commenced to write you a letter and will put it in this, relating to the army and some things which may be interesting to you

 

I invited Frank P Brockway to call in and see me to night. he has just come and asked me who I was writing to. I told him, as he does not know you. he was out riding to day. he told me that he came to a town where a family lived. he had 8 children and a young looking wife the poor man cried and said his wife and poor little children were naked and suffering for want of food. they came to him and cried for something to eat. his things were all destroyed leaving him in this helpless way. I could not help but shed tears when he told me what he had seen. I would give all I had could I see him. this war has brought untold suffering in the land, and well may we rejoice that the battle field is not Penn^a

 

I cannot write much more this time for the reason I have told you being tired. I have not heard from Silas since the battles. I have no pictures of his to send you. Who did Phil Keefer marry and do you think Goodriches was trying to get my name as near as possible for their pet. I should like to be at your home when Mr Kinne comes to pay that visit I think I will try and come.

 

I have sent you two papers, one edited in Richmond the other in Petersburg they may be of some interest to you coming from them historic cities

           

My best wishes to all. I am yours always

Lieut. WHThurston

Baty F 1^st Pa Arty

3^d Brig Arty Reserve

Army of the Potomac

 

[sideways]

 

P.S. please write soon. I am always to anxious to hear from you

 

[overleaf]

 

P. S. we have changed Brig from 4^th to 3^d

                                                            WHThurston

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