Camp in the Field      

10 mile N.E. of Vicksburg     

Dec. 28^th 1863

 

My Darling Annie:—

                                                I have not felt very well for a day or two past or I should have written you yesterday as usual. I feel much better this morning. I have been buisy for several days trying to get the necessary certificates to accompany my resignation. I think I shall succeed and have my resignation all ready to go in as soon as the investigation I have asked for is over. This is what is delaying matters now. I shall do all / I possibly can to bring proceedings in my care to a speedy and successful issue, but you might as well attempt to move a mountain as to hurry up military proceedings any faster than the regular "Red Tape" movement. I never had such an unqualified contempt for anything in my life as I have for some military men. The manner in which they treat subordinates would be a disgrace to the D—l.

 

I do not find fault in my own case especially but I see hundreds of others treated much worse than I have been. In fact I consider myself fortunate thus far. My humble prayer shall still be that God will overrule all for / for my good. I finally believe that He will. Let our whole trust be in Him my darling wife. I received yours of the 14^th a day or two ago. I do love such good long letters from you dear. All the pleasure I can have here is in reading them. Most of the Officers went to a planters house a short distance from camp on Christmas night and had a regular jubilee. I preferred to stay in my tent, read your letters, and think of the happy hour which I trust is not far distant, when I can enjoy your loved society once more. You mention in your letter that you have had a severe cold. Do be very careful my darling this winter and / allow me to ask you again to get rid of that troublesome tooth the first favorable opportunity. I am afraid that something worse may result from it if you do not. I have not written to Mother yet. I will try and do so soon. Give them all my love dear when you write. As I write so often and have so little of interest to write you will excuse my short letters. I do most sincerely hope darling that we shall soon have no more necessity for writing at all.

           

In bonds of the most sincere affection

                                   

I am

Your Devoted Husband

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