Camp in the Field      

10 mile N.E. of Vicksburg     

Dec. 24^th 1863

 

My Darling Wife:—

                                                Yours of the 6^th inst. written at Sister Florys was recd. a day or two ago. I had felt so anxious to hear from you for several days that I can not describe my feelings to you as I eagerly glanced over the contents of your letter. I have felt since I left you darling as I never did before in my life. The long and short of the matter is I am homesick and have been ever since I left you and / every thing I see or can think of here only aggravates my sickness. I did think that I could possibly shake off to some extent these most miserable of all bad feelings after being in camp of a few weeks. But I can not do it. I had rather think of home home and the loved ones connected with it than any thing else in the wide world and I can not help it. This may be considered a weakness by some but it must be those who never had a home worthy the name, or otherwise have not sufficient social feeling to appreciate it. You ask me to find out as soon as possible what I can do here. I will darling and will also let / you know just how matters stand whenever I write. Do not be too sanguine my dear. things work very slow and we shall have to exercise a vast amount of patience.

 

            I have received a certificate from the Ordnance Office at Washington relieving me from all responsibility to that Department and when I have an investigation in regard to my being absent I think there will be nothing in the way of my resignation being accepted. I have been expecting this investigation for several days past. I may have it soon and it may be put off for some time. If I had had the certificate I now have from the Ordnance / Department when I sent in my resignation before it would have been accepted. I do hope there will be no backset when I get it started again.

 

            My health is about the same as when I last wrote you. Tell Flory and Dave that they can not regret more than I do our being unable to visit them before I left. I certainly should have enjoyed a good visit with them. I trust we shall soon be favored with an opportunity of visiting all our friends.

 

Tomorrow is Christmas I do hope darling you will enjoy it. My happiness will consist in constantly thinking of you and earnestly praying God to bless and protect you.

                                   

Ever Most Affectionately Your

George

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