[pencil drawing of bird nest]

Bermuda Hundreds

June 14^th 1864

 

Sweet Carrie

                        I rec^d yours dated the 4^th inst I guess nearly a week since and now as the time agreed upon for me to reply (the 15^th) is close at hand, and fearing that I shall be busy tomorrow laying ponton up the Appomattox I will avail myself of my present leasure. Carrie it makes me feel proud to know that I have in my possession a sample of your hand writing and composition, and I hope if this war continues it will not be the only specimen that I can claim from you in the shape of respect to your soldier Uncle. You must feel that your / influence is necessary towards putting down this Rebelion and you will therefore deal it out liberaly and of course you will expect to share in the honors, if not in the horrors of war. This you will have, my little pet. God will notice and reward you, if no one else, for every word of kindness, courage or cheer that you may cast even around one so little deserving as myself. It is through the influence of your sex that war exists (I argue) and the parties that are the best supported by the same will likely prevail. I had a letter from Charly about ten days ago and one instance he mentions that came under his notice since he left Bermuda of a Rebel Orderly sergt. which was numbered among our prisoners some where between here and the White House on the York River He writes that she created quite a sen- / tion. And one remark of hers I will mention and you can translate it as you think proper. Says she "You damb'd Yankes tried to flank my Battery but you could not come it". I have just got sit down and we must fall in again Good night

 

Sunday 19^th have been at work all day and I expect to have to work to night

 

I saw a little fellow to day that was going home

 

Monday June 20^th Carrie I dont know what you will think of my letter but I will tell you. The day that I comced your letter I was obliged to put away my writing and prepare for a march. Our ponton bridge had to be loaded on to a barge and where we were going with it but few of us knew. It was nearly noon of Wednesday I think when we started down the river towed by the little tug Ellie Carl I lay down and sleped going down for our detail had been at work all night / and without rest. So you see we must when we would ride out for pleasure with Uncle Sam improve the rare opportunity for a double purpose. Just before leaving the landing here (at Bermuda) I received a letter from Father the first I have had from him since leaving home. All seem to be kicking yet and a natural desire to hear from his boys though I guess that Charly is pretty punctual about writing home By the way I would mention that Charly came here and inquired for me a short time after I had left with the ponton so that I was deprived the pleasure of meeting him, but he left word with a fellow that he was well and had stood the rough march to the White house well. I tell you Charlies Regt sees rough times. I saw a little fellow yesterday that told me he was going home and somehow I made the inquiry where he lived and he told me that it was West Dorset Vermont His name (Heman Shepard) and he is going to see an uncle by the name of Clyde He told me that he knew you and would call and see you He started at eve yesterday and will probably be in Vermont in 4 or 5 days He can give you some particulars respecting war life though he is not enlisted I am very thankful that I was permitted to bid one good bye that would probably see those I love very soon We got papers yesterday of the 18^th and that Petersburg was ours, but that is disputed by those who have been near it. We are situated so that we can burn it when ever we choose I have been wanting to get time to draw you some little pictures that might interest you I have not any thing copied for your inspection yet I wish you well, all of you Remember Berta that took on so when I was leaving has she a word or a kiss for Uncle Jim Carrie remember me and write often Please send your type will you From Jim

 

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For particulars respecting things that I have omited the little Shepard will tell you

 

Why does not Parsons join the Christian Commission and come down here I would like to see him here and he is wanted that is so

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