Hilton Head S.C.October 14^th 1862

 

Dear Susan                                                                                          

                        You must be fairly at home by this time from your summer tour and it is high time that you should know that I am well and in good spirits. I am somewhat anxious to learn how brother E.A. is for I had no letter by the last two mails and am afraid that he is worse than Mother's anticipated. I enclose by this mail a newspaper printed here as a specimen of our enterprise in this department. The body is diminutive but the soul very aspiring. A good deal like our new general Mitchell who would make things hum around here if he were only allowed the same number of men that Sherman had. As it is his hands are completely tied and the few men that he has left him / are constantly expecting a repetition of the Ja's Island reconnaissance This seems to have dwindled down to a speculative & mere trial of strength war between men who pretend patriotism only to foist themselves up in notoriety. The motives among actuating the bulk of our men form a visible contrast to those of the 3 months men & the longer the crisis is put off the worse it will be for all concerned. I ought not to complain now as I have obtained my bugle at last and can "make as much noise in our little world" as the strength of my own lungs will permit me to. So saying to myself and you "Better late than never" I send you all untold love and hope to hear from you soon good news.

                                                                       

ever Your affect brother

Walter H

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