Laurel M^d          

June 22^d 1865

 

Dear Hester

                        Yours of the 16^th inst at hand I received on tuesday but have been so busy that I could not answer it until today. I am very busy now being Post Quarter Master I must needs tend to everything hardly a day passes but I must go to Baltimore or Washington on business connected with my department. Yesterday I was in Baltimore today in Washington running around in the heat it is far from pleasant but must be done

 

            The weather is very warm here at present and the farmers are very busy making hay and crops

 

You are going back to Jersey are you I should think any place / in New York would be preferable to Jersey. I should like to be with you on the fourth but as matters stand now it will be an utter impossibility. Troops have been passing over the road very fast up to this week but they have begun to stop now. I suppose they will now begin to discharge others though I think they will keep us for a year over yet, that is until the regular Army is filled up enough to relieve the volunteers

 

As I promised you I have given up drinking that "horrible stuff" and must acknowledge I feel quite as well without it. I attended divine service at the Methodist church last Sunday evening our chaplain officiated and I enjoyed it very much. I had to leave off writing for an hour or so to attend to some business we have had / a nice little shower since and the air is now quite pleasant You I believe are going to spend your fourth at Staten Island. how we will spend it here I know not. we have made no preparations as yet. Hardly a day passes but there are soldiers killed on the Railroad a few days since we found another on the track dreadfully mangled as you say it does seem hard after going through so much to die now almost at home. When I look back and think where we were a year ago today I cannot help but feel thankful for the mercies bestowed upon me. A year ago we were lying in front of Petersburg scarce daring to move for the enemies sharp-shooters. Then the Rebels were still bold and defiant. Today Jeff Davis is a prisoner and Genl Lee and others suing for mercy from / that Government they so deeply wronged and affected to so bitterly despise. But we can afford to be merciful and kind to our "fallen foe" dont you think so.

 

            I suppose that many of the soldiers are getting home are they not hardly a train passes without some soldiers for New York and many familiar faces are beginning to be seen again that have been missed for two or three years. Well some day I too will come marching home wont you be sorry of course you will My respects to all your friends. I am written out (excuse the grammar) with love to yourself I remain

                                                                                   

Yours only

Bob

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