H^d Qrs Baty F                   

May 28/1865

 

Dear Laura.

                        Your most kind and always welcome letter was just rec^d and will answer right away. we are both well and Joe is doing finely. he is out among the company, and says he is in no hurry to come home. Lieut Mowser has made application for a leave, and expects to start home on Sunday and I will send him along. I would love to keep him longer. he is such good company but I fear his Parents would not wish him to be from his school to long. I had intended to go to the city to day also yesterday, but the storm prevented our going. Lieut Brockway & Joe will go with me / in the morning. I want him to see the Arsenal & Navy Yard, and will take him to the Theatre in the evening. him and Lieut Mowser have been out riding on horseback. he likes it very well. he has written to his Aunt Curtis, but says he wont write much until he comes home.

 

            We have been busy all day mustering out men whose term of service expires before October 1^st Veterans must remain in the service for a time. I will not resign for the present as I do not think it prudent under existing circumstances. I will if possible come home at the appointed time and if not so soon after as possible. I may be mustered out ere then I cannot tell, but I do not expect it I would love to be home, I know I would be much better contented / I am so much pleased that you mentioned our arrangements to your Parents. I should have mentioned it but thought twould be too far in advance, in fact I could not think of it then, but I hope twill be all right, and they are prepared to meet my extravagant demand. please understand me as I mean simply you, is all I ask them to give. Laura please excuse me if I have spoken to freely concerning this. I feel it my duty to talk to you freely and openly regarding our marriage as the time is so near approached. Make any arrangements you wish and I will be satisfied. I have no one to ask, unless to Wireman or Brockway and they may not be able to attend. Capt C will not come home in some time not until Lieut Mowser returns. his business will not permit him to leave now. / I have just been thinking when I left your house I never thanked your Parents for the respect they have shown me, nor the hospitalities of their home. I am ashamed but I felt so bad about going away that I did not act the part of a Gentleman. I will try and do better next time. I have just been thinking of Sallie and the remark I made when we left home. you know, I suppose you will not hear the last of it soon. Also Boy 9? When your letter came to night Joe ask me to let him read it I could not comply. he laughed and no doubt understands something. the boys ask him questions as to me and you. Some one has told them that he was my intended Brotherinlaw. I suppose it came through Raker family / I intend calling up Jack Raker and tell him to inform his sister that Lieut Thurston does not owe him, but has made a raise and paid the bill. I did not like to hear it as I had taken the money more as a deposit than to borrow, but I do not blame him he did not intend it to be known to every one. It has commenced raining again fast tis the strangest weather here the sun set clear and now only 9 Oc. and raining fast, well I hope twill be nice tomorrow for our visit, but the storm will not prevent our going unless tis to violent as we will take the steamboat from Alexandria. We have had a large number of visitors today, Maj Ricketts among them him and Joe are cronies, and he is going to see him. Also Lieut Thurston 6^th Maine Battery not me. 

 

Well I guess I have written enough for this time and will soon close. I look to have a letter from you on Tuesday night, the one you write on Sunday, and then I will write again. we expect another Review of the 6^th Corps and Reserve Artillery some time this week. Also a separate one of the old 2^nd rear Balls cross Roads, four mile south of the place. the 6^th Corps has arrived from Danville Va. Sheridan has gone to Texas to look after the Rebels but we have just rec^d the cheering intelligence that they have all surrendered, and the hero of so many battles and proud achievements may return I hope so as his men will not like to go so far when they have fought so long and thought all dangers and [?] marches at an end 

 

            remember me kindly to all your friends and same also your family

 

            I remain your friend most

            Affectionately

                        WHThurston

            1^st Lieut Battery F 1^st Pa Arty

                        3^d Brig Arty Res

                                    Army of the Potomac

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