Larkens Vill

Alabama

Monday March 7/64

 

Friend Mary

                        I received your letter to day, and as I was pouring over its contence could not help thinking that in health and prosperity there is death and that not in the army alone is death but at home and at our own doors it makes its appearance and takes from us those we love, though we who are gone in the Army hav been spared we may liv to meet you all no not all but some of you who may liv to greet us at our saif return from the army that we may meet our wifes and children Mothers and Sisters and Brothers / and then will we know what it is to be free and happy again and we can say with out blushing, we hav fought a good fight and hav returned to our famileys again to be happy for ever

 

            Mary I am happy to here from you though I felt hurt when I came to that pasage in your letter where you said you did not know wether I would answer your letter or not I will answer all your letters with out any apologys I hav not seen Oliver in some time I met a man belonging to his Redg who was acquainted with him and said he was well I will try and go to see him in a few days he is but nine miles from me at woodvill the next station below us on the RR 

 

I have rote Alfred and in the letter I spoke of having some things expressed to me and if they come I will divide with Oliver though if we should move from here soon it would be best not to send them because I would not get them on a march and if I did I could not take them with me though we may stay here all spring. It makes me sick at heart when I think of Alfred at this time in his young days to be deprived of his bosom companion, though he has one comfort his little daughter Lottie and in his lonly moments she is near him to cheer him and in addition to all is the condition of Ann my sister I am verry sorry to / learn that she must go to Jacksonvill and there to remain God knows how long I hope not but a few days and that she may return home again with her health restored. I hav also riten a letter to Mother at the same time I rote to Alfred with 25 dollars in it there is one of our boys coming to Oswego and he will bring it and deliver it to her Giv my love to Mother and tell her I am well and in fine spirits and am courting one of the Alabama ladies her father is a conscript agent and she a Reb though she is handsome and with all is rich that you know will cover up the Reb

 

Nothing new at preasant rite soon                                                                

Dow Shibly

SOURCES