Camp 7^th Ill. Inf. Vet. Vols.

Louisville, K.Y. July 5^th 1865.

 

My Dear Etta,

                        You cannot imagine how great the pleasure I take in anouncing to you my speedy return, and I can do it now with a far greater degree of certainty than ever before. It is no camp rumor this time for I have seen the Order from Gen. Logan and we are already at work on our rolls. they have to be ready on Friday night; Saturday we are to be mustered out and immediately proceed to Springfield as an organization, and there receive our pay in full, after which we will disband and hasten to our several homes. We may possibly have to lay at Springfield a week before we can get evry thing settled. it is all together owing to the Paymaster, if he is active and has pleanty of help, it will not take but a day or two, otherwise it may take some time. I think though I can be safe in calculating on seeing you (if we both live) in two weeks from tonight at least. You will have the little parlor lit up and old wicker set out ready for me wont you, that little room somehow has more attractions for me than any other that I know of. I think it is one of the pleasantest places in the world, and with you in it it is the pleasantest to me, at least 

 

I hope it is not as warm there as it is here tonight, for it is almost suffocating I believe yesterday and today have been the hotest I ever experienced. it was has been impossible to find a place where one could rest. I spent most of the day in an ice cream saloon eating cream and drinking ice water. Joe has been with me since Monday tuesday morning, his regiment arrived here the night before and are awaiting transportation to Memphis. there is no sign of them getting out yet. Joe wishes he had come to the Seventh. He seems to be in good spirits but the most of the regt. look very much down in the mouth and a blacker set of men I never saw. They have worn little caps all the time and tanned until they resemble indians more than white men. I should hardly have known Joe if it was not for his peculiar grin as he came up to me. David Clark is sick in the hospital at Tullahoma, they could not bring him along. Joe says he seems to wory a great deal and has lost all energy. it is homesickness I guess, the very worst disease a soldier can have. I have seen it carry more than one poor fellow to the grave but I hope David will not alow it to get the better of him that way. he ought to be stronger minded than that. I cant blame him though for I know it is hard to overcome at first, and it must be very hard now that the war is over and he can see no object worthy of his the toil and privations a soldier is called upon to endure for keeping / him. I have been homesick since we have been here and am used to the service too, so I know it must affect him, a mere boy, and not used to being away from home, but he should not give way to it. This, Dear Etta, I expect will be my last letter. when you hear from me again I hope it may be through words spoken and not written, which will be a great deal more interesting and agreeable to us both. You will find me just as true and constant as my letters have represented, and I hope to find you as confiding and loving as I have given you credit for, and some day, we will be rewarded for our constancy.

 

            I shall not write much tonight for it is so hot I can hardly stand it and I must get to some cooler place. I have in accordance with your request had my photos taken and will bring them when I come. remember two weeks from tonight, watch for me, until then, Good night.   From your ever true and loving,         Henry.

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