Warren Station, Virginia January 18^th 1865.

 

My Dear Mother & Father.

                                    I must endeavor this morning to pen you a few lines in answer to your dear letter which came promptly and most welcome I assure you. I was indeed very happy to learn you were getting along so finely, although Father's recovery progresses very slowly. I hope it will work on Grants system, which is slow but sure. May God bless him with good health once more, that he may know there is happiness in living the life of a Christian on earth. it rejoices my heart to learn he can, and has found peace in the Dear Savior.

 

            We must have our troubles and trials in this life, but with the ever willing hand of God they can be made comparatively light and easy to bear. all that He requires of us is to give ourselves fully into his care. He will watch and guard over us. 

 

I am enjoying very good health and have a monstrous appetite for hard tack and pork. John Grant called to see me this morning, accompanied by my friend Charley White. his Regiment is doing garrison duty at Fort Powhattan on the James River, some miles below City Point. he came up on a pass the day before yesterday and returned this morning he looks first rate. I dont see as he has changed any within two years and a half, but he hardly recognized me at first. I have grown some what & better looking, which makes all difference. he is going to try for a furlough this winter he says. But it beats all what luck I have. I made applications last friday and my furlough went through Corps Head Quarters all right, and not a word can I hear from it. it takes my time considerable, but it must been laid aside somewhere and forgotten or else it is lost. I think I will give it up for a bad job pretty soon, for it / seems I cannot get one, while others are going every day. I was all ready at one time and was disappointed, so I guess I had best drop the matter altogether.

 

            The sky looks as if we were going to have some snow. we have had but very little thus far, and I am not anxious for a snow storm at the present time.

 

            The money I sent home is yours and I expected you to use it for anything you see fit. I expected you was in great need of it, but if you let it go towards building a cabin so much the better. whats mine is always yours with a right to do always as you may deem proper. now bear it in mind and you will never hear me find fault.

 

            I think it is the best thing could be done, and Conny is very good to let you have the lot and the shingles, and I think it would be our duty to embrace the opportunity as another may not offer itself. I will do all I can in the way of money to forward the project and / then we will have something we can call a home. If God spares my life until the 26^th of August I shall have quite a neat little sum. there will be my $75 Bounty and my $2 per month State pay, which will amount to $72, in all to $147.00 so that will be some help besides the remainder of my time, and if you want that little in the bank as you will, why take it out as a matter of course.

 

            Foster, Conover, Robbins and several others are home out of the Regiment. if I do not come do not be much disappointed, but I shall try once more if this one dont come back, and see if it is my bad luck.

 

            Tell Grandma I have been thinking about coming home but that was all I could do. give her my love, I am glad she is so well. Uncle Ben has a hard time of it. Does Aunt Sark Sarah or any of them call to see you. But I will now close. write as soon as an opportunity offers and believe me your most loving                                                    

Son Albert

Sergeant A. C. Harrison

Amb Train 3^rd Division, 6^th AC

Washington D.C.

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