Sunday evening 9 O'clock

 

Quartermasters Office 3^d M^d Battn

near Patrick Station V^a

Nov 13^th 1864

           

My dear Hester

                                    I have just returned from a long moonlight walk with a friend, and seat myself to write you in answer to yours of the 5^th which was received last night, hoping I will be as successful as I was with my last so to begin I will answer your questions:

 

            I quite agree with Bob Inglis in saying you are too quiet, and I would a deal rather see you more lively. if he writes me about your faults (which I doubt his doing) I must say that I cannot show you the letter, because it would be a good chance for me to retaliate on you, now you know you have got my curiosity excited on several things. You start to tell me something great and then you change your mind and say "wait till you get home, and then I'll tell / you" so if I get the letter I'll borrow your words and say wait till I get home and then I'll show it you, wont that be glorious; it would please me very much to go to New York, bring you out here for a visit, and then return with you. what fine times we would have, and what an excursion it would be for you, wouldn't it; about my coming home about the holidays I cannot speak positively I may and I may not; perhaps they will not be granting leaves or perhaps I cannot be spared but if it's a possible thing you will see me in New York on New Years; I have fully made up my mind not to accept the Captaincy so you can rest contented on that score; I think I will have to want that O.S.K. as I see very little chance of obtaining it just now and now (having answered all your questions) for a little of the news

 

            Col Robinson returned here on the eleventh and was warmly welcomed / on his arrival at the Battalion. I had the pleasure of riding with him from my quarters to the Battalion a distance of three miles. Yesterday I believe he was the proudest man in the Army, and well might he be, for the members of the Battalion fell in line of their own accord and one of them made a speech welcoming the Col home and presenting him in behalf of the men a splendid sword, sash, belt revolver & spurs the price of which was two hundred & fifty dollars. there was a large number of the Cols friends present and the affair passed off very fine indeed. the Col intends to send the articles home in a few days so if ever you call on Mrs R you will see them

 

            We moved from Warren Station to Patrick Station a distance of two miles yesterday, and have / to build winter quarters. all is quiet along our lines.

 

            Well the election is over at last and Uncle Abe is re-elected. no doubt the friends of Little Mac are very much chopfallen at the defeat of their favorite nothing could have pleased me so much as his defeat and Uncle Abes victory did. the rebels of the South and the copperheads of the North were confident Mac would win and in his election the Rebs thought to accomplish their independence, and no doubt they feel the result bitterly, for it's a settled thing that they desire peace or to use their own words "to be let alone"; as for England & France Lincolns victory will be a bitter pill for them to swallow and it will serve to show them that the people of the North are still true to the Union, and despise secession & Copperheadism. I can assure you that the re-election / of Uncle Abe has done our cause more good than the capture of Petersburg would, it is already rumored here that the Rebs want to negotiate for a peace. but this war has been carried on to such an extent that the only terms we can allow are unconditional surrender and as soon as they are ready to submit to such terms we will talk to them not before

 

            Remember me to your folks and all enquiring friends and with my love to you I close

                                                                       

Remaining

Yours as ever

Bob

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