Falmouth Va March 8^th 1863 Sunday

 

Dear Parents

                        I received your letter yesterday, and thought today I would sit down and answer it. It was not a bit too long, for I like to read good long letters. About that Valentine. I knew nothing of it before you wrote. And I should think you would at once perceive that it never came from the Army for if it did it would be post-marked Washington. I am fully convinced it originated in Littleton. You dont think Porter C would do it do you. I kinder suspect him. And another thing the sutlers would not be allowed to sell anything obscene, for the Provost Guard examines their goods every day. 

 

You must not expect a long letter this time for I have a severe cold and my head aches so I can hardly see. Since I wrote last we have had 2 rain-storms. It rains every other day here. This morning there was a detail of 20 men to go over to division Headquarters to open Express. all boxes sent to the soldiers are opened, for a good many people send citizens clothes, so a soldier can desert. I think that a person who sends clothes to a soldier to encourage desertion ought to be punished more than the soldiers who desert. There was some boxes which contained 2 or 3 bottles of liquor. The commander of our division (Gen Howard) is a temperance man and a Christian. if he hears a private swear he will stop him and talk to / him like a father, and an officer he will reprimand him severly. But he is a good man and thinks a private as good as an officer (which many officers dont). The rebel pickets are very friendly now. they make little boats of a piece of board and send papers across to us and we return the compliment, although it is against orders. Capt Plimpton has got his furlough extended 15 days more, and I think if father should see him he might get me a furlough. I received a book and paper from you and some tobacco, but dont send any more it costs too much. I had better go without. There is some talk about that Col Deveraux is trying to get the 19^th home. The 2^d New Hampshire Regt went home and had 300 men, and we have not got 200. I should think that we ought to go home to yet /

 

You say that Jim says he shall soon be back. But we had a man come from Point Lookout and he says Jim is doing guard duty round the Hospital. I dont think he will be back he is having a good time at the Hospital. I think that Uncle Len can talk first rate when he hasnt got only 9 months to stay out here and doing post masters duty at Suffolk. It is a mightier sight easier to say than to do. But dont you think the war had better stop now than to suffer more hardships and lose more lives. I wish I could get my discharge so as to come home and take fathers place when he is drafted I would give my bounty and that is 100 dollars to prevent father coming out here, but perhaps he wont have to come. I hope some of those rich old snobs will have to come out it would please me greatly. But I am almost to the end of this sheet so you must excuse me for not writing I dont feel a bit well but will try and write another the middle of the week, so good bye for this time

 

From your affect. son

                        G. H. Patch

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