3/13/1863

Camp near White Oak Church Va.

 

My dear Wife.

                                    As another of my men Chester S. Lee (quite a romantic name bye the bye) has been entitled to a furlough by the return of Crossett, I have delayed writing until he could take this. Said Crossett arrived safely and handed me the bundle and contents. Many thanks to you for your kindness, and we enjoyed the cakes vastly. The cream sponge reminded me strongly of Mrs Buddy. The handkerchiefs are very pretty and the towels just the kind most desirable for camp. So many of the men and Officers are going home on furloughs, that I sometimes feel like breaking my determination not to go home just now, and sticking in an application for one. But I wish such things were not granted, for the rush after them is tremendous and many heartburnings and jealousies are caused by disappointment. The number in a Regiment is limited. Only 2 men out of every 100 (giving us 11 men at one time) and 2 line and one Staff or field Officer can be absent together. How long they are going to be given, we cannot guess, but an order to move, will settle the matter. It is very dry in camp, nothing exciting, and nothing to do but drill. We consume now 6 hours a day in skirmish and Company movements. I take much more interest now, I find, than I have ever before / having become well broken in. I have to depend more on myself than when Lieut Saylor was with me, for Lieut Logo is not very well posted, and lacks confidence. But he will get into it before Spring is over I warrant. Our old Quartermaster Hess is back to the Regiment, and Benny is rather apprehensive that he will be obliged to return to his company. Although I miss him sorely, yet I hope he will soon obtain a position where his good qualities will be of more service to the Government, than in the capacity of Company Officer. He is one of the truest men to his duties I have ever met, and the Regiment regards him as the best of fellows. How did you like the German Opera? I hope you were pleased. Write me all about it. The Fobes' are certainly very kind and considerate. I will duly thank them when I return, and in the meantime make yourself particularly agreeable and show you appreciate their attentions by accepting their invitations. Down here, well! we have Opera sings, and Psalms and Hymns very frequently, and have I not before told you? I have been raised to the dignity of "Leader" of the choir on Sundays. A few of the Officers get together during the evenings, and we sing over all the old songs we can remember, the Col. often joining in. It does us good, makes us think of home, and, do not laugh, but sometimes a glistening tear / in the eye of more than one of the singers shows the effect of "Home Sweet Home" or "Old Folks at Home". We are not yet forgetful of all that we left when we came out for a good purpose. I am sorry dear that you can't meet an old married acquaintance without feeling your loneliness. When you meet such as Carson, think of him as me, who had political principles, and did not dare defend them, who had a country that he did not dare to strike for, who is a married man, and cares not how his country fares, so he can sit at ease at home. Pshaw! I trust and hope "the Conscription Act" will gobble up all such. And when again you meet such fellows, pass them proudly by and think how little spirit they must have. The 2^nd Lieut of our old Company Charley Herring (you remember how the girls turned completely crazy about his handsome face) now Major of the 118^th Regiment came over to see us yesterday. He pressed Benny and me to come over and see them, some 4 miles from here, and we intend to go; but I am very much afraid dear, if so many of our old Company C get together, somebody will be slightly inebriated. Would you be very angry if it should be your husband? If you go the German Opera, can't I get slightually elevated once or twice? Mind, I have not been so yet, only afraid I will be so. Write me your opinion about it. /

 

Tell Rolly his letter was recd and I was much pleased with it. I wrote to him in my last and will do so again in my next. Now dear you say you want me to write to you oftener than I do. What can I write? or what about? Think, think I have nothing to say for nothing ever happens here, and wonder I can write so much as I do. Now I was wondering what I could say or write you in this, and only see, I have filled 4 pages of nonsense. Give my love to your Mother Aunts Uncles cousins and all and kindest remembrances to all friends. Kiss little ones over and over again, and although you may write in the meantime, write me also on Lee's return. Why did you not write by Crossett? Send me your photograph by Lee. I desire it particularly. Hoping to hear from you very soon I remain               

 

Yours devotedly

Andy

March 13/63.                                                              

 

Did I leave a pair of pantaloons (Military) at home? If so can you send them on by Lee? I am under the impression I did.

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