Evening 10 O'clock

Quartermasters Office 3^d M^d Battn

Patrick Station V^a

Nov 25^th 1864

 

My dear Hester

                        It is with a heavy heart, and in very low spirits that I seat myself to write you this evening in answer to yours of the nineteenth which I received yesterday, but I trust I will be in better spirits by the time I finish this letter.

 

            In my last I told you my old complaint had attacked me again, well I hoped to be rid of it ere this but I was doomed to disappointment for instead of being better I am worse. I was very bad yesterday, and was forced to keep my bed, but I managed to get up to-day; if I had not got your letter yesterday I dont know what I would have done. I had one of my dull spells, was out of patience with myself and everything. I could / neither work, write, read nor sleep, and wished myself home a dozen times, but after reading your letter which I received in the afternoon I felt in better spirits so I read it over half a dozen times feeling a little better each time I read it; I get so downhearted sometimes that I dont know what to do. and then I wish that I was at home with you or that you was here to cheer me up and put me in good spirits again. but I might as well wish myself in China I would be just as likely to get my wish; I have made up mind to leave the Army this month if I am troubled much with the diarrhea. now I feel better after unfolding some of my trouble to you.

 

            It's too bad I could not be with you at Elizabeth this time, and give Sarah a chance of entertaining me, but it cannot be helped so I suppose I must make the best of it. 

 

Why is it you are more happy now than when you was "young and foolish" as you call it, is it because you have become more settled and know more of the world? or is it because you have more faith in the Almighty and live according to his way? the way you talk sometimes one would take you to be old enough to be my Grand-Mother instead my betrothed, now if it's a fair question how old are you? Tis said that a "lady never likes to tell her age" but I really hope you will not take offence at my question will you my dear.

 

            Yes I do think you ought to enjoy yourself and have nice times. persons of your age generally like to enjoy themselves and why shouldn't you. it will not do the country any good for you to exclude yourself from society and not see any pleasure, if it would I should say do it I must admit though that there is a vast / sum of money foolishly expended that might be used for a good purpose but then you know it cannot be helped people will do it.

 

            You are right my dear Hester in your advice about coming home. 'tis true I want to get home if possible. but I have been so long in the Army (and have always borne an honorable name) that I do not care about disgracing myself now.

 

The hearts of the soldiers were made happy yesterday & to-day by the arrival of lots of good things such as turkeys, chickens, apples oysters &c sent by the good people of the North for their Thanksgiving dinner. a goodly number of the men also received boxes sent by mothers wives &c which added greatly to the joy of the recipients. The weather yesterday was beautiful, clear & warm as a spring day and was regarded here as a kind of holiday I regretted very much that I was not able / to go out and enjoy myself. besides I had an invitation to dinner & could not accept it so I missed a pleasant ride and a good dinner. speaking of dinner reminds that I had a favorite dish of mine for dinner to-day Pot-pie. I thought of you while eating and wished you was here to dine with me it would have been better for me in my present state of health not to eat it but I couldn't help it it was so good.

 

            Since the railroad got in full operation our camp being right at the Depot has become quite lively. we see all that goes on and all the arrivals. there is quite a number of ladies visiting here at present almost every train brings some; besides the R.R. there is an abundance of music here, there is no less than four brass bands near our camp and one or the other of them is playing all the time; we have music for breakfast, dinner / & supper we are lulled to sleep with it at night and awakened with it in the morning. it is very pleasant for a time but "too much of one thing is good for nothing" and I'm inclined to think we get too much music

 

Remember me to your Uncle & Sarah and please thank Sarah for the present. so with my best love to you I close subscribing myself

                                                                       

Yours Devotedly

Bob

 

P.S. On looking over I do not like the first part of it and was about to burn it and write another but I hope you'll excuse the dull mood I'm in accounts for

Sherm

 

                                    R.S.S.

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