Head Qrs 1^st Div 11^th Corps

Brooks Station April 13^th 1863

 

            Two letters from you today dear wife one of them written on the 8^th & the other on the 5^th. The latter it seems by a memorandum on the outside was missent to some point in Kentucky of the same name as this place. I am sorry your cold still continues and feel very anxious to hear that you have entirely recovered from its effects. My own cold affected my voice like yours, although not to so great an extent, and has given me some trouble but today I feel very much relieved, and scarcely cough atall. Suppose you try the same remedy. I took last night a five grain blue pill, and this morning a [?] powder and they have produced a great change upon me for the better. Today at dinner I had quite an appetite, which has not been the case since my cold has been severe. / I know that your liver has always been torpid, and I believe if you would only take some blue pills every two nights for a week that you would feel like a different person and get rid of your cold. If you are not well by the time this reaches you try this remedy. I cannot tell what to do for dear Bessie, but if she has not got the whooping cough I think all her trouble must arise from the stomach. Dr Hemitt I hope can give you some simple remedy which will aid her digestion and thus cure her. As soon as she begins to eat I hope her habit will change. Has she any prospect yet of teeth? I am sorry that you have not been able to obtain a nurse, and I do not see how you can get along without one. It would certainly be a relief to you and a benefit to Bessie to have a regular nurse, who in all things could keep her regular. If you spoil her now she will always give you great trouble hereafter. / Have you taught her to creep yet? It is time for her to begin, and it will be healthy also. I am sure that you feel troubled about money matters. I have no doubt Mr Munroe can send you some money this month, so that you will be able to get along until I can get some more pay. It took all that was due me up to the first of this month to pay my way, but hereafter I can begin to send to you again. When I write to Burnet I will give him directions in regard to Evy & Johny. Is he still at Cleveland and must my letter be directed there or to Cinti.

 

            Our army is beginning to make some preparation for a movement. This morning I understand a very heavy force of cavalry started out to make a dash on the other side of the Rappahannock, fitted out completely with all sorts of apparatus for the destruction of railroads & bridges &c. / One brigade of infantry from our corps started out with four days rations to march up the river, in order to sustain the cavalry at a certain ford. From this I judge the affair will end in four days. I hope it may prove successful, and that the rebels may be made to feel the strength of our cavalry, which as yet has never done us any material service. If they are successful, we shall find out the strength of the enemy on the other side of the river, and when it will be best to make the attack. If we are only triumphant in our first battle all will go well with us, for the army never was in better condition, and only needs the confidence to be obtained by one victory to be invincible. As yet we have no marching orders but expect them every day. Love to the children and all the family with loving good night kisses to darling wife

                                                                                               

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