Camp 1^st R.I. Cavalry June 8 '63

Bealton Va

 

Dear Friends

                I received yours in due season i should answered it sooner but i received it while packing my saddle for a march. this is the first opportunity since we returned we took some 15 prisoners but had no fight we marched 40 miles in 12 hours and a verry hot day. you may think it is hard to be in the infantry and i suppose it is but it is not all fun in cavalry if there is any thinks so close by you or in your vicinity tell them we need recruits

                                   

You say Fred is besieged with unanswered letters i am glad to know he has such a reserve to call up at any time and hope i shall receive part of the benifit / of it for no one can tell how pleasant it is to receive letters from their frinds except they have been out here all i find fault with they are to small and to far between but i wont find fault with you because you have done well for the first time it is more than i expected and i was much pleased with the first letter i received of yours through Lizzie i am glad fred is well and hope he will continue so and all of his family tell him not to complain all is for the best and one leg is better than none i have never heard how much of his leg was taken off if he finds Rockville a lonly place ask him what a picket post is between 11 and 3 in the night i have not seen or heard from John in fact i have never seen him and have forgot what / Regt he is in there is something in my crop that has never got out and i am sorry it is there but at the same time if it is ever in my power to do him or his family a kindness he will not have to ask for it his wife has my best wishes and i hope for her sake i hope he will return home safe and sound give her my love and good wishes you say a lady popped the question to Orin Ellis she must of been a lady of the first class did she have a speaking trumpet men must be verry scarce to be picked up at such short notice but that is just like the women (ah what makes your eyes snap now say it dont sit there, spit it out) you say you have been trying to coax Lizzie to come up, cant you do it Fred thought she was / easy coaxed once on a time but he did not have it to do, i know best how to do that

 

but i will close if you can read this you can do well for i can hardly read it myself Give my love to all i would like to take dinner with you to day but i dont think i shall

 

Please to write soon direct as before and dont forget next time to put (H) in my name good bye

 

write to Lizzie often cheer her all you can

           

From your good for nothing Brother if you allow me to call myself so

William H. Durfee

Orderly Serg^t (H) Troop 1^st R.I. Cav

 

PS i will send my picture the first chance i have to get it      W.H.D.

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