1^st Brig. Quartermasters Dept.

Near Petersburg Va. March 20^th 1865

c/o the Mother of Waldo Stacy.

 

Dear Madam.

                        I was at my friend Nahum Farmer's tent a short time since & he showed me a letter he had received from you in which you mentioned my name as a friend of your dear son Waldo. I think myself happy to have formed an acquaintance so pleasant to me, & I hope in some measure so, to him. I have often heard it remarked, as well as often read the same that we knew not how to prize blessings till they were taken from us. It is true in the case of my friends Waldo & / Joseph. Much as I prized their friendship & their society I feel more & more their loss.

 

I have lost many friends since I have been in the Army—but none that I seem to miss so much as my last winters tent mates. I think in our tastes, our ideas, & habits we had so many things in common, made our intercourse so pleasant, & missing those very things this winter has made me feel their loss more. If I have lost so much, how much more have you, his parents—their parents. It is in the hope that I may say something to alleviate your sorrow, to add some word of sympathy & comfort that I take the liberty to write these few lines. But while words fail to / express our feelings fully, it is the best we can do, & I am thankful for so much

 

It certainly is a relief to my mind to speak & know that others sympathise with me.

 

If I were to speak of the dear departed, I could only repeat what I wrote to Josephs Mother which you read, that I believe the country afforded no nobler examples of true patriotism, devotion, & virtue.

 

While I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only Savior of lost men, I have hope that Waldo had built his hopes of eternal life on this sure foundation. I have not a talent to converse as freely as some on any subject, & often have to regret it & especially in the case of those that I shall / never have the priveledge of talking with again.

 

Waldo thought a good deal of his home & the friends there.

 

At the time I left the Regt. I felt almost acquainted with your family in a general kind of way as we know our neighbors. Waldo had promised to visit me with his sister when we were once free at home. Though I shall never look on his face again I hope to on those he loved, & am sure my wife wishes the same.

 

The Army of the Potomac is blessed with health to a remarkable degree. Good rations, quarters, & are in good spirits, the 36^th Mass. included.

 

With much respect Yours

L. A. Lesure

SOURCES