Camp 7^th Ill. Inf. V.V.

Washington D.C. May 26^th/65.

 

My Dear Etta,

                        When I wrote to you last I was about to start from Raleigh and as I was supposed our destination was Washington. We stopped a few day at Richmond, Va. but while there I could get no chance to write. I had but one day to myself and that was spent riding over the city visiting the many places of note there, which I never expect to have an opportunity to do again. I saw the libby prison and Castle Thunder, where so many of our brave comrades have suffered horrors indescribable. I have heard tales of suffering told by some of the occupants of that horrible place that seemed almost increditable because one would think it impossible for the human system to stand under so great a weight, but I have sufficient reason to believe them to be true. I also saw a great many other things which I have neither time or space to describe. The Capitol Jeffs and Lee Mansions, the Monument for Washington, statues of Washington, Patrick Henry, Clay, Lafayett, and Mason, Ft Darling and its surroundings, and many other things which satisfyed my curiosity. 

 

Day before yesterday we marched in review through the City of Washington, and before the president and cabinet, Gens Sherman and Grant and a large crowd of people from evry loyal state in the Union. It was the grandest day I ever saw. The side walls, windows and housetops were crowded with both ladies and gentlemen. The ladies brought with them boquets and wreaths of flowers which they threw out to us from and which were tramped under foot for we could not break the order of the march by stooping to pick them up. I wish you had been there for I know it would have been so great a pleasure to you. But never mind, you will perhaps before long have the pleasure of seeing and welcoming one Soldier as he comes marching home, which I know will please you more than taking part in the welcome of 100,000. If evry Soldier receives the welcome which I expect to receive they need ask no more greater happiness. How I long for the time to come when I shall be greeted by my Darling Etta, her bright eyes sparkling with joy at my comming, and clasp her to my throbbing heart and call her my hearts Idol Dear Etta I fear I love you too well and yet I cannot help it. more than once have I laid down at night when tired and sleepy, forgetting to ask the blessing of of God to rest upon me through the night, but never do I close my eyes in sleep without thinking of you. it is wrong I know, and I have prayed for strength to resist such temptation not that I may love you less, but that I may love my savior more, / and seek to please him first. your first letter after reaching home came to me at Alexandria Va. it was the first I had received in some time. I read it until I almost commited it to memory, then burned it as you requested. it is very seldom that I retain one of your letters longer than a day or two at most, for I might drop them some way where some one would find them, and I do not care to share the pleasure of reading your sweet letters with any one. I will be careful with them Etta and no eyes but mine shall read there contents. You spoke of your impatience. The time will not be long now, Dear Etta before we shall lay aside our pens and and wisper whisper in each others ear our tales of love and our plans and prospects for the future. If we are spared I think you may look for me by the 1^st of July. it will take until nearly that time for reconstruction and they will not likely muster us out until the authoritys here have telegraph communication with all of the southern states. I supose we will remain here in camp until that time and I hope to here from you often. I still have your photograph and love to look at it as well as when it first came. It will never grow old or lose its attractiveness in my eye. It is truly a great incentive to do right, for I know the heart of the original is beating anxiously for me, and I could not willing cause that little heart to bleed by any acts of mine. Write soon and often Dear Etta

                                                           

I remain yours forever   Henry. /

 

P.S. Be carefull and direct to the 15^th A.C.

 

Some of your letters have been directed to 16^th A.C.

                                               

H. V. Hoagland

Co F. 7^th Ill. Inf. V.V.

3^rd Brig^d 4^th Div.

15^th A.C.

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