Head-Quarters, Ambulance Corps,

3d Division, 6^th Army Corps,

Christmas Day.  1864

Yellow House, Va.

 

My Dear Mother

                        I will try this morning to drop you a few lines in answer to yours, which was most thankfully received, and my joy knew no bounds when I found that John was a little better. I do earnestly hope and pray that God will be still more merciful & that he may fully recover from his illness and enjoy better health than ever before. But I feel very thankful that the least hope can be / entertained as to his recovery. God is good He will listen to the voice of His People & will bring sunshine out of darkness to gladden our hearts. Yet we are poor weak & erring creatures & are not deserving of the many comforts which God the Good Father bestows upon us. In times of trouble we are sure to call upon His Holy Name for help, for strength & He does not turn a deaf ear to our supplications. He says come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and / I will give you rest.

 

            I received the letter from Aunt Clemmy the day after yours came to hand she was two weeks in getting it written. what do you think of that, only two weeks. I was sorry to hear that Gedney was sick but so it must be. I hope though his illness may not be severe. she said his fever had left him. I think he must be much better 'ere this.

 

            I wrote to Hannie Bergen & told her to tell you that I failed to get my furlough. But I think if the Lord spares my life I will get one some time this winter I tell you Mother the / trouble is just here, we are busy & have been for the past two weeks getting our trains in a condition for the winter, building quarters, &c. and the Medical Director of the Corps is in my opinion about as mean as can be brought along & we belonging to the Ambulance Corps who send in furloughs, those furloughs have to be approved by him & its just as the notion takes him whether he signs them nor not. if I could have sent one through the Regiment I would have received one without doubt, as some have been granted through that source and not as urgent cases as mine. But my chance comes first for one / and I will probably get it in the course of a month if the Army dont move and all remains as quiet as at the present time. it is true Mother it would be hard to part if I came home but then it would only be for eight months or such a matter, that wouldn't be three years or sooner discharged. I feel to thank God that I have been permitted to live 2 years & 4 months striving with the many thousands to crush this Rebellion and with the help of God we will do it. We have every cause / for encouragement, more than at any other time. Sherman & the fighting Thomas are doing great things and here we lay at the gates of Richmond. The South must come to their right minds soon & cry Peace. But I must now close & scratch a few lines to Aunt C & two or three other correspondents, for I am getting behindhand in my writing. write soon or get some one to scratch a few lines. May God bless you Dear Mother & Father. Look unto Him. He will comfort you in sickness

                                                                       

Your loving Son Albert

Sergt. Amb Corps 3^d Div

6^th A.C. Washington DC