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

Little Rock, Ark., Dec 12, 1863.

 

My very dear Wife

                        I wrote you on the 10^th, in which I expressed a hope that I should get a letter from you that day; but I was sadly disappointed—as none came. It is too bad; as the last letter I got from you was written one month ago to-day. What can be the matter? I received one from G M Woodbridge, asking a certificate for E D Nugent, dated the 23^d, so the mails are not altogether stopped. How impatiently I shall await the next mail.

 

            I sent you a check for $50 (which I bought from Lieut. West) in my last letter. Also Lt. West's picture. He has got no letter yet from Hattie, but is almost wild for one. Please tell her.

 

            Solomon Tice and Leonard Haught, two of my men absent without leave have returned. /

 

            Nellie Dow writes to some of the officers I think—perhaps to Lieut. Berry—but West gets no letters from her. Mollie Woods writes him nice sisterly letters. He allowed me to read one of them a few days ago.

 

            Anna Robinson says Mrs. Lieut. Scott has been having a flirtation with some young blood since we left Alton. I hope she has done nothing imprudent. Mrs. Hays has broken up house keeping. John Hayes lives at Col. Woods.

 

            We are having quite a time here about the veteran service. Most of the officers and men of the 77^th have expressed a desire to go into it. If three fourths of the Regt goes in, all who do will be sent home on 30 days leave before long. Those who do not join will be transferred to some other Regt to finish their term of enlistment—while the Veteran 77^th goes home to fill up with veterans from other Regiments and new recruits. Col. Mason agrees to go in if three fourths of the Regt go. So does Maj. Stevens, Capt. Sisson, / all the officers of A and B, D & E and the Lieuts of F, West of G and Fisher of K and Scott and Province of "I", also agree to go. I would go if promoted to a field Officer. I told Col. Mason, this evening that I thought three years long enough to serve as a Captain. He said he thought I was right, but said, "De Hass will not be with us again" (which I presume is true) and that his place would be to fill, adding that he was favorable to my filling it. This is the first time he ever talked with me on the subject, since Stevens' appointment, but as he has told Smithson so before, I guess he is in earnest. He said to me that the two who are above me in rank are not qualified, and that the officers of the Regiment would all endorse my qualifications. I think the war will be about over by the 31^st of next December, (when my commission expires) and if I can get promotion I will not hesitate to accept. If not, I don't expect to go into the Veterans. What say you on the subject? Are you willing to spare me a while longer, for the sake of the country—and my ambition? /

 

Tell my fair friends to whom letters are due from me, that I don't know any good reason why I have not written them, and so can make no apology. It is so long since they wrote me, and I have not answered their letters, that I am now ashamed to write. But "Christmas is coming", and so is a letter to each of them.

 

            Speaking of Christmas reminds me that in two weeks a dozen years will have passed since you became my wife—and it brings with it the pleasing remembrance that never for a moment have I regretted choosing you as the darling of my heart. Oh! dearest, what happy years you have made them for me. May we pass many more such together.

 

            I went with Miss Robinson, this afternoon, to Judge Woodruff's, and she engaged boarding there. Judge W. lives in a splendid house,—furnished in the grandest style—and has three pretty daughters, and a still "handsome" young lady—Miss Vaughn—boards with them. Miss V. looks some like you. Miss Anna tried to make me say Miss V. is the prettiest girl I ever saw, but you know I would not say that—though she is a beauty.

 

            Write me very often, my dear sweet love, you know I prize your letters more than anything I can get. Oh how I would like pass an hour or two in your arms, love, and taste the sweets of your dear lips again. Kiss the darling children for me. Tell Emma to write me often. I astonished some of the folks here by reading them part of her last letter, and telling them it was from my daughter

                                                                       

As ever yours              Mac.

SOURCES