A D 1862

February the 21^st

           

Dear Wife i take my pen in hand to write a few lines hoping that they may find you well as they leave me at present i am thinking that this is the last time that i shall address you from Camp Orr i am afraid this news will not please you very well but i do not want you you to think hard of it for it is not so bad for us to go to Harrisburg as it would be for us to go to tennessee into the middle of the rebles they say that we are to go to baltimore to guard the prisoners which will not be a hard job though i think that if our troops will win a few more victories that there will be no danger of us going to baltimore We will be paid at Harrisburg / We will never be paid here the marching orders were read to the regiment whilst on dress parade the orders were that we were to be removed to Harrisburg for the present We are to go on next Monday the 24^th which was received by the men with three cheers and throwing of caps We are to march through the town of Kittanning tomorrow in honor of Washingtons birthday i hope that you got home safe i was sorry to part with you but we must bear against it for i do not think that we will be needed more than two months and it is the opinion of our greatest statesmen the South cannot stand it long for they are getting beaten on evry hand there was 25 000 captured at fort donnelson and this evenings papers states that General Price and his / whole army was surrounded by our troops and bowling green is in our hands so take courage and make yourself contented for i am certain that you do not wish for me to be at home more than i do would like to be with you but put your trust in the almighty whose power is the same in the South as it is at home and i hope that i shall put my whole trust in him and may your prayers in my behalf enter acceptable before his throne and so i must bring my letter to a close or you will get tired of it and so now take care of yourself and do not fret in my absence i give you my true love and affection and give my best respects to my parents and sister make yourself happy / whilst i shall be following the duties assigned me tell mother to keep up her spirits up i shall not forget one of you for you are all dear to me the thoughts of home shall cheer me when i shall be far away the candle is most done and i am very sleepy i was on guard last night

 

So good night

to you all from your

affectionate husband

            Will

            William Rees

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