Camp in the field

near Moscow Tennessee

Febr'y 23^rd 1863

 

Miss. Annie M. Henry

            Sparta Wis.

My Dear Annie:—

 

Yours of the 15^th inst was brought to me yesterday while out on picket. I should have written yesterday as usual had I been in camp. While patroling the R.R. and sitting around our reserve fire my thoughts were constantly with you dear, and many a silent desire to lay aside the harrassing scenes of military life for the peace and quiet of a Sabbath at home with friends passed through my mind. Your letter was especially interesting to me yesterday. For some time past the Guerrillas have been skulking around our picket lines and causing us considerable trouble last night I did not lay down until after midnight. By the glimmering light of a single fire I read it over several times. It was a dear companion, bringing to my mind many precious pure and ennobling reflections. I will repeat what I have said, or at least what I have thought a thousand times before. I do not know what I should do without your letters. They are to / to me what the compass is to the disheartened Marine far far at sea, surrounded by the pitiless storm, they point to peace and happiness in the future when this terrible storm is over, and the bright smiles of heaven shall again beam upon us and dispel evry cloud. You allude in your last letter to something I have written some time ago and request me to explain what I meant. You seem to be under the impression that I thought there was a want of confidence, or rather a loss of confidence between us. It is possible I may have unintentionally drafted a sentence which led you to believe so, but most assuredly conveyed an erroneous idea if I did and must have been written in an unguarded moment, for you know Annie dear, that our confidence has been mutual and unreserved. It is impossible for you to be deceived in regard to this matter on your part. You know much better than I can tell you what you have thought of me and to what extent you have trusted me, and if you have ever believed any thing that I have said or written believe this I have ever had and still have full and unlimited confidence in you. I have been trying to bring to my recollection what I have written to you / before on this subject but I can form no definite idea of it now and consequently can give you no satisfactory explanation now. If you will return me the letter containing what I wrote I will rectify the mistake for mistake it must be.

 

            I should like to be able darling to promise you to come home soon, but I am afraid I can not consistently do it just now. when I left you I felt confident that this matter would be settled by the first of April or May. Since we left Wis. a formidable enemy has sprung up where we had no reason to expect it at home among those who then professed to be our friends. This will undoubtedly prolong the strife beyond that time, but I still have strong hope that the end is near. A few months will tell. Be patient darling. Let us hope and pray still. God will yet bless us. Our Division forage train went out about five mile from camp last Wednesday, and on their return were attacked by a band of 150 Guerrillas. our guard were 100 strong and would have repulsed them in a fair fight, but the rebels came upon them suddenly, the roads were very muddy, and the train scattered over a mile in length, and before they / could get the teams and guard together the rebels had cut about 40 mules and horses loose from the wagons and taken 16 teamsters prisoners. The boys from the 33^rd got one volly at them, killed two or three and wounded several more. While the boys were reloading their pieces the rebels put spurs to their horses and ran with what they had got. Two or three of our men were wounded, one seriously. A man from our Co. who went out to help load the wagons and was unarmed took a double barrel shot gun from a wounded rebel.

 

We get daily papers from Memphis now and are well posted on the current war news. The "Sparta Eagle" you sent me was duly recd, for which accept my thanks. I love to read a good loyal northern paper. The circulation of the "Chicago Times" has been prohibited in our Department, and evry soldier says Amen to the order. I am truly glad dear that you find so much enjoyment in the Class meeting while you was there yesterday I was reading your letter and wishing myself with you. I was very sorry to hear that your mother was unwell. I trust it will prove to be nothing serious. Please give her my kindest regards. Also the boys and Maggie. How much I could enjoy a good visit with you all. Earnestly praying that the good Lord may soon grant me that privilege I am darling, as ever, faithfully Yours,                  

G. Haw

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