4/26/1863

Camp near White Oak Church Va.

 

My dear Wife.

                                    I presume you have been impatiently waiting for a letter from me, and have wondered why you have not heard. I have been expecting to send you one by Lieut Logo, who made application for a furlough immediately upon Lieut. Saylor's return, but by an unfortunate error at Head Quarters, he lost his turn, and is now obliged to wait ten days before he can succeed. I regret that he has been disappointed, as he had set his heart upon a visit home. But I hope he will succeed next time. The evening the Chaplain was making his preparations to leave, I was much engaged in counting and fixing the mens' money in their letters, and was also obliged to finish my quarterly clothing account, quite a serious matter I assure you, so I was too full of business to write as I wished. I sent you $200 by him, which I presume you recd all correct, and now want a word or two on business matters. If I mistake not, you want some $150 or $160 to pay off indebtedness to Pop Loudy, your Uncle Henry and the Dr., and would then like to have some $100 in cash beyond, for summer use. I am sorry I did not retain your last letter containing your statement, but I will not send the money to other parties I intended to until I hear from you again. I will let you have dear, all I can, so please state fully your wants. I have some $450 to distribute and in the course of two months time will I hope be able to obtain some $300 more. If you can select a place for summer boarding, I will endeavor to obtain a 20 days furlough, and be with you for that time. You cannot imagine how anxious I / am to see you. Many thanks for your photograph. I consider it excellent and am truly pleased to find you looking so much like in old times. Benny arrived here safely, and seems to have been much pleased with his visit. He is a capital fellow. Since his return he has been placed in temporary command of Company H, the Captain of which (S. F. Campion) is quite sick. I trust he will in time be duly promoted to the Captaincy, although he is not all anxious for it, and does not seem to care to leave his old position. The Colonel has been quite under the weather but is much better now. I could entertain you for an hour with gossip in relation to certain affairs but you know my disapprobation of such kind of tales in letters. Some of these days we will have hearty old laughs over the table about them. We are still stationary though under the same marching orders. The weather has been particularly unpleasant for some time past. A great deal of rain has fallen, tending to deter any advance. To day has been very pleasant though quite cool for the season. We suffer much at nights. We sent away all of our surplus blankets, and retained but one apiece, and in consequence, are uncomfortably fixed for sleeping. However it must soon become warm enough for comfort. Every thing is backward here, and from what Benny says, I should think you are having a late season at the North. From your account your Uncles must be becoming more patriotic every day. I am glad they have taken such a determined stand. I think them perfectly justifiable in acting as they did in regard to the Baltimore folks and am only sorry that more do not so openly avow themselves. Just at this moment, a decided course on the side of the Administration is to be commended. You know dear I was never sanguine / about an early termination of this war, but I begin to think if all put their shoulders to the wheel at this juncture, the end of this summer will witness the successful putting down of the Rebellion. Our men were never in better spirits, nor more determined to fight for success. And I find this to be the universal feeling in the Army. I have no doubt that within the next 30 days, much will be done. I hope so, and when our Army of the Potomac moves once more, you will I trust hear great things of us. There are constant rumors of our Corps being retained here all summer, but I place no faith in them. If we do remain, we will have much to do, in watching the enemy. For my own part I would prefer going with the Army. However a few days will settle this matter. I am up to my eyes in Company affairs. We are making out our clothing accounts, ordnance reports, and muster rolls again and I write until late in the night as I would like to have all finished before we move. We had another rigid inspection this morning, but we were thoroughly prepared for it this time, and the men were all in good condition. He complimented me upon the appearance of my Company, and their clothing &c. and made us feel quite jubilant. It is rather laughable to witness the great reluctance of the men to unbutton their shirts and drawers before the Inspector, and some of the men appear rather unnecessarily modest about it. Why did you object to Benny purchasing me a light jacket? It will be a most comfortable arrangement for the season, and I cannot wear my hot woolen clothing all the summer. I do not intend to remove my flannel under garments at all, as I believe it will be more healthy to continue the wear of them at all seasons, but I must have some light jacket to lounge in. Think over it, and by the time Lieut. / Logo pays you a visit, please be ready to come to terms. How are you off for shad? We are enjoying Rappahannock's now from 25 to 50 cents apiece. They are very nice, and are brought into camp almost daily, But we have as yet no radishes or grass butter, which I suppose you are now revelling in. I came near making a terrible mistake when opening the package you sent by Saylor. I had opened my letter and read it, and had the one addressed to Weidy, already partly opened, when I first saw the direction. The fun was, he was in my tent at the time, and professed to be much surprised that he should receive one. Weidy is a nice fellow, and is much of a favorite all around. He loafs a great deal in our tent, particularly on rainy days and it is a favorite amusement with us to propose going "around to Vine St. for an hour or two". I will tell you something funny about Lieut. Latta. You remember he was to have been in our Company, but was afterwards taken into Company E. He has just returned from a furlough. We call him "Giggs". While in Phila, he called at Col. Ellmaker's and whilst making himself agreeable to Miss Fanny (who by the way is quite charming) she asked him why we called him Giggs? He answered "because I wear spectacles" She said "I like the name of Giggs" He threw himself into the most tender attitude and explained "Call me pet names dearest, call me Giggs!" She collapsed, and he tells the tale with much gusto. But I must close this nonsense for you are doubtless tired of it, and I must write to Rolly yet tonight. Capt Warner and I called on Capt. Laurie the other day but unfortunately he was not in. Give my love to all at home. Your mother aunts cousins and all. Tell cousin Kate Weidy is flourishing and will doubtless write soon. Remember me kindly to all inquiring friends and give my best respects to your kind Uncles. I regret that I have nothing to send you but my undying love, and hoping to hear from you very soon believe me to remain as ever

 

April 26/63                            

 

Your devoted husband

A. T. Goodman

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