Sweet Springs Va.

Sept 13^th 1863

           

Dear Mother

                        I have had but one opportunity of writing you for some months & then I believe you did not receive my note which was enclosed in Raleighs.

 

            I saw W^m Norris some days ago. he said that he could send at any time, so in future dear Mother I shall be more regular and write at least once a week. Certainly some of them will reach you. You too, if I may judge from those received / have been a little delinquent, for I have had but five or six in at nearly as many months. Uncle & Aunt have both heard quite frequently & are kind enough to send them to me, but you know how much greater pleasure to hear directly. But I am not complaining, far from it. I am truly thankful that we hear so often. And I am sure that there are few opportunities that escape you.

 

            I have been out South for 9 months if I except twice a visit to Va. & from there I have no direct communication. So that I, from / the very circuitous route that the letter would have to take, & the delay caused by the want of knowledge of the most expeditious way, felt disheartened, & but seldom wrote. Raleigh told me with how much pleasure my letters were received & your anxiety about me, so with a promise to write frequently I ask pardon.

 

            I mentioned in my last that I should not return to Mississippi, but would probably enter Gen^l Lee's Army. Since then Gen^l Loring has written me a most flattering letter saying that he could not do without me. / and that my commission was waiting for me &c &c. So I concluded with much persuasion from my friends (Sweet Springs) to accept his offer. I shall return in about two weeks. I asked Raleigh to write you of my intentions so I suppose this will not surprise you. I am the "Chief Aid", so that when Congress meets, the Prs^t will sign the Staff Bill. I shall be promoted to Capt of Cavalry or Major of Infantry.

 

            I shall see Raleigh before I leave for the South, and will write you a long letter /

 

[first page overwritten]

 

and let you know all about him. He has raised a very fine Company, composed mostly of his friends. If however he should get tired of the life I may be able to get him a commission on someone's staff.

 

I have been enjoying myself extensively since my return to Virginia & it will be with many regrets that I leave. The Bensons send their best love. Betty has been here since they shelled Charleston. Try and send me the photographs of Nannie Mary & Martha. Give my best love to Father Grandma Aunt Eliza Buz & the family, Mr George. W^m Turner is here. Came out with the Army.

SOURCES