H^d Qrs Baty F 1^st Pa Arty      

March 19^th 65

Camp Hatchers Run Va

 

Dear Laura,

                        Your kind letter dated March 15^th. I was too glad to hear from you I looked and watched the mail until it came. I think Meal & Hal comes to see you often but they are good girls and should be entertained. I wish I had been there I should have had a good time, dont you think so. do you remember the knight in the cellar, who did I find under the table do you remember. I will not forget that knight should I live a thousand years. I enjoyed myself. I did, and so did M.H. well I think I will if my life is spared long enough have more good times dont you think so. I am surprised to hear that Lt. C has taken a wife I thought it could not be possible but I have / heard it from different sources and must believe it. I wish him much joy but I think she is plenty good enough for him. I thought by what he said he would not marry while in the Army. But I know love is strong and works some marvelous changes. I know my L will agree with me here.

 

And you think Huldah is good in choosing cousins, perhaps not. I may prove different from what some one expects although I hope not. Huldah wrote me quite an interesting letter. I reminded her of that wink, you know the first knight, the dream. She apparently had forgotten her remark. I have not written to Mag as I think I wrote the last letter to her and I understand she thinks hard of me for not coming to see them I am sorry that I did not go but you know I could not avoid it I will make that all right when I come home. 

 

            This has been a beautiful day. the boys has been running barefooted. the buds begin to swell, assuring us of a remarkable early spring.

We marched on the morning after I informed you of our Marching Orders, a distance of 8 miles toward the left of our lines, near Patricks Station on Grants Military Railroad near Hatchers Run, the recent battle ground. we dont expect to move for a few days until all things are ready for the grand advance which must and in all probability end in a great battle but the prospect is good and I think we will surely end the war this summer.

 

We have been quite busy since we came to our new camp. Yesterday we had a close inspection by Maj Hazzard & to day reviewed by Maj Gen Humphreys Cmdg 2^nd Corps. We are both young Officers but rec^d great praise / in consequence of the good appearance of our Baty and soldierly bearing of the men & cleanliness of our camp. by the way we are now ready for the march.

 

            this is a forsaken looking country nothing but toads, snakes, pine trees and a few poor buildings. the inhabitants are destitute of the necessaries of life. what little they had has been destroyed by our Army.

 

[sideways]

 

We have our camp near the home of a Mr Chapels & myself & Lt W have our H^d Qrs. in his yard. they are kind people but have nothing but what the soldiers give them. they have a poor little girl (7) seven years old almost naked She is pretty as a picture though pale & poor. two hard battles have been fought near here during which time they went in the cellar for safety. When the war commenced they had plenty, now all is gone and when our Army leaves should they attempt to remain they must perish with hunger. tis horrible no one can know the misery this war has brought upon the people who must suffer to be where desolation and ruin destroys the hopes to enjoy a hard earned home. 

 

I have lately rec^d letters from home also from Brother Silas he tells me he likes to play soldier in Elmira. I told him I could not doubt his word. poor Embler entertains fears of being drafted I pity him as he does not like to go and in fact is not fit to as his health is quite delicate although most drafted men think something ails them when they must report to some rendezvous. Recruits continue to come from all parts of the North. All seem to vie with one another that the war is over and they will not be called to face the iron hail. I wish them well but I assure them they will hear the booming of cannon & bursting of shells and participate in the closing up the last grand drama of the American Rebellion.

 

I must now close I think I must be sleepy as I have failed to see I believe the way the paper is ruled. Lt Wireman is fast asleep, snoring like a steam engine or something else, and does not think that I am writing to my best friend

 

tis now 10 P.M. my kind regards to your Pa & Ma. All please write soon and tell me all you know I am a very inquisitive fellow dont you [paper distressed] and tell me what you think I should know.

           

More Anon                                         

 

I still remain yours

WHThurston

Lt Baty F 1^st Pa Arty

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