Head Quarters 77^th Regt. O.V.I.

Alton, Ills., March 4, 1863

 

My dear Wife

                        I received your letter of the 27^th ult. saying you would come in about two weeks. How long that period seems! I will try to wait patiently till you come, but I am so anxious to see you here.

 

            Do not, on any account, put off coming at that time that will be the 13^th—so you have only nine days left—and will have to start as soon as you get this, in order to get here "on time"—as set by yourself.

 

            I am in very good health. The six of us I mentioned in my last letter went to St. Louis yesterday, and came back on the boat last evening. Mrs. Hildebrand and I were wishing so much that you were here. We had a nice time—shopping and seeing the city.

 

            Capt. Kinkead came back to-day. Lieut. Jones is not here yet—time out I guess. Better look out. We / may need his services, if Jerseyville should secede. Perhaps he will make it up by the recruits he will bring. It may be that the hero of Jerseyville knows of some Copperheads, or "Secesh" Democrats here, but if there are any real friends of the rebels in Alton, outside of the prison walls, I have not made the discovery.

 

            "He must have optics sharp, I ween,

            To see what is not to be seen."

 

Tell the folks to not object to your coming to me, and staying a while. We will be back in good time, and then it will be so pleasant

 

            "To meet dear friends once more."

 

I shall expect them to keep us posted about home affairs while we are gone. I think things will so happen that we will be home next spring or fall.

 

            I think the Conscription bill which has now become a law, will be quite necessary to get the Abolitionists into the Service—especially if the President announces that the war is for the preservation of the Union, and not for the benefit of the negroes. 

 

            I am like you were in your last, under the necessity of making my letter short, in order to get it into the mail.

 

            Write me "right off".

                       

A bushel of kisses, and ever so many hugs,

                                                           

As ever yours,

A.W. M^cCormick

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