May 1 - 61

 

My Dear John

                        William Priest has kindly offered to take a package to you, so I have accepted his offer—went in to see Fannie & Hattie last evening to ask them to write one expecting they will bring in their letters this morning. we talked of you last evening & wished so much we could only hear you sing "Dixie" once more The Club meets at Fannie's tomorrow eve. it will be a sad meeting to us, five who were there at the last meeting are far away / now. we do miss you so much John we used to think so much of your coming in to see us, then for you to leave so suddenly without hardly a good bye. I hope you have not regretted going Take good care of yourself. you know you are inclined to be rather careless. Write us soon & let us know how you are if there is anything you need to make you more comfortable, we should be very glad to do it for you. The ladies have been sewing at the Town Hall for a week for the Soldiers we finished the garments yesterday. We have all of us worked hard, but we were very glad to do it & should be willing to do as much more. Some of the garments we made were for your company, so you must think of us when you wear them. 

 

You cannot imagine how we felt when the news came of your reception in Baltimore. I hope you will see nothing else like it while you are away. The 6^th Regiment have garnered a name & fame that will be given to no other Regiment we feel very proud of our brave troops from Massachusetts. My sincere prayer for you is that God will have you in his kind care & keeping & bring you back as you went. I know the temptations you will be exposed to but he can keep you from all these & I trust he will. do not forget the friends you have left. I think of you constantly I would give so much if I could only see you for one hour. if Nathan was here he would send much love to you he was very sorry to have you go, has not / sung Dixie since you left. I could not bear to hear it. write us soon. I am sorry to hear that you do not have better food. Do you have comfortable places to sleep? tell us all when you write. I have not seen Mrs Haynes or your mother since you left, intend to soon. They sing Patriotic songs at the sings, but it is so sad. they do not seem at all as they used to when you were all here. please give my love to Charly & all that care for me and keep a large share for yourself I must say good bye for William is waiting dont forget us

                                                                                               

Ever your true friend

Emilie Thayer

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