Head Qrs Baty No 14

Feb 27^th 1865

 

Dear Laura, your kind letter of the 23^d was rec^d this evening. I was much pleased to receive it but I am compelled to say, I was a little surprised, at what information it conveyed to me. I told you to not be impatient. Why did I say so. I will be frank in telling you, I knew you was causing yourself unnecessary trouble about me. I done so for your own benefit, at least I had intended it for such. I knew you loved me tenderly and I as a man should thought I was right in telling one who I hold as near and dear as life itself to not be impatient, that the time would come when we would be most happy. I am well aware that you did not solicit me in regard to / our marriage, neither did I suppose at any time that it was your desire so long as I was in the Army. I am exceedingly sorry to say that you intimate in your letter as though I wrote on the 11^th at least you seem to understand it so, that you are so very impatient and cant wait for me to come home. And you tell me you will be careful and not tell me that you desire to see me, and wish me to come home, and we would be the best of friends in the future. This is the first I knew that we have not been the best of friends for the last twelve months. I am sure I never for a minute deviated in thought from what I promised you, however I may have done so in deed or action, when I had not intended it, but pardon me if I have and I will try and prove my  friendship to you in the future, and if twere in my power to love you the more. but I think this the wrong time to manifest a spirit like this and should be avoided. I acknowledge I have been unjust and deserve your frowns, but I done so with pure motives with the intention to increase and strengthen the tie of love and friendship that has made me happy, and to add to your pleasure and enjoyment until I could be with you, and not to [?] your feelings. Laura I have a few suggestions to make. could you look upon me as a man to tell you I delighted to know that I was the cause of your troubles and my sleepless nights, and tell you to weep on, or would it not be more manly in me to tell you be patient and if tis Gods will I will / come and meet you when I know we will be happy.

 

But say, Laura if we cannot agree now so far away what will we do when I come home next summer. I have been I am at a loss to tell you since I read yours of the 23^d it reminded me of old times. I thought it could not be possible but I knew I was in part to blame, and should be more careful what I write, but I did not intend you to understand it the way you have and hope that you will cast it to the four winds and not mind my [faded] little and some big faults, you know me and I know you.

                                                                                                            

I know tis natural for you to wish to see me and if I thought to the contrary I should feel bad about it your devotion and proofs of your constancy is why I try to make your time pass more pleasantly, and encourage you. 

 

I am sorry that the picture I sent you was injured but you could not help it. So you must not care, although I thought a great deal of it.

 

            I have no photographs to send you otherwise I would be happy to do so. I will send for some as soon as possible I am glad to hear that Mell Brewer is likely to recover from her sickness.

 

Huldah & Mag need not think it strange that I do not write to them. I will not write when they do not answer. Huldah never wrote one line to me since I have been in the Army and Mag did not answer my last. I wrote to Mag this week thinking she did not get my last. 

 

dark clouds have hidden the sun and the rain is pouring down. the men are all huddled together in their little tents some speculating about the war, others about the election here is poor me thinking and writing to the best friend I have on earth and wondering when if ever I may see her. few can form an idea how the soldiers pass away the time. Some few of the most reckless seldom think of their peril and pass a jolly life while others lament about home, pine away go to hospital and die. but I do neither, I have learned how to play soldier. I always look all difficulties sternly in the face and I always feel prepared to meet anything that may happen. 

 

I must hasten to a close. the mail soon leaves. I hope you will not think I do not wish to write you longer letters, but I am a poor writer at the best and the time is limited.

 

I will not divulge anything to Wireman. Campbell is well and still corresponds with Jane Raker dont tell anyone I told you.

 

My love to the family also Griers. please answer soon, soon

 

            In you I confide

                        WHThurston

                        Battery F 1^st Pa

                                    2^d Corps

                        via Washington, D.C.

 

L J Morgan.

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