Camp Near Camden

October 21 1864

 

            My Dearly Beloved Wife your kind letter of Oct 2^d came to hand this morning & was read with much pleasure & satisfaction it is always with grattitude that I learn that you are all well for I think as long as you all remain well that you will be able to get along very well I started you a letter a few days ago in which I acknowledged the reception of what clothing you sent to me it all came in good order & was received with an abundance of grattitude as it supplied me so as to make me comfortable & decent which our Lady friends would think was very scarce if they were here (that is decent clothing) but I am in hopes the men will be in better circumstances before long as the most I think are looking for clothing in from home a great many though will suffer for blankets this winter as we have no tents and generally have to take a blanket & stretch for a tent which answers for two men & they lay on & cover with the balance. I think I can make out very well as I have two blankets here & Scruggs had two good ones & I am looking for an other one from Alexandria which will answer a good purpose I have also a large over coat & plenty clothing for the present but will run short of socks before the winter breaks for other clothing I can make fine during the winter if I have no bad luck our Regimental wagon of clothing has not come in yet but we are looking for it now. Our duty here is very heavy men come on duty evry other day they are working on the fortifycations I have but little idea how long we will stay here. we have glorious news if true which you will have heard before this reaches you about Atlanta being taken and Lees whipping Grant worse than he ever has been whiped before our Generals believed it so strong that they had salutes fired with the Artillery & if this news be true I think our fighting pretty well over for this war. 

 

            We have a new Brig Gen. over us now General King has been in command of one of the Brigades of Walker's Division since the Pleasant hill fight. he is a fine looking man & I think knows what he is doing I hope we will all be well pleased with him Gen^r Polignack is loosing favor on account of his not furloughing his men more they he is the cause of us not getting more there is none granted now only special & they will have to be signed by M^cGruder the chance is so slim that I dont expect to try to get one soon I want to se you all very bad but that is all the comfort I can give you in that respect. there were some frost last night & it is right cool to night day we have a very bad camping place here water & wood very inconvenient a cool place in the bargain this finds me now in very good health & I trust you & my friends may be enjoying the same blessing I glad to learn that you have arrangements made to furnish you with rations & was sorry to learn that Jess & Matilda had to move & leave you but I am in hopes you will get along about as well. & I am in hopes that Cousin Ellin & Betty may enjoy theirselves with you & I feel thankful that one of them will stay with you. Tell Eddy that I am glad to learn that he is going to school & shall expect him to be a good boy & that he will not let any of them learn faster than he does & tell Johny he must learn to & tell Willie that Pa is getting very tired fighting federals & so kiss them all for me & tell Jess boys that they ought to be improving there now too, send Matilda Jess & the children my love & respects & well wishes also Mr Powel & family Ellen & Betty, so as it is cold & late I will come to a close & if you are scarce of paper write back on this sheet & may the love of our Heavenly Father sustain & comfort you & may his wisdom guide & direct you & the time soon come that I may embrace you in my arms is the prayer of your affectionate Husband

ThoWJohnson

           

Martha E Johnson

 

[overleaf]

 

                                                            Due 10

                                    Mrs. Martha. E. Johnson.

                                                Weston Collin.

                                                            County Texas.

 

From T W Johnson of

C^o I 31^st T.D.C.

SOURCES