Camp of 8^th Regt C.V.V.

                                                                                    Near 24^th AC H^d Q^rs

                                                                                                Feb 23^rd 1865

 

            Dear Mother

                                                I recieved a letter from you this morning mailed the 20^th and have nothing to do today so I will answer it I have three letters to write today.

 

            We have very good news out here the taking of Charlestown has caused a great deal of cheering in the army and Gen Grant ordered a salute of one hundred Guns to be fired I was on picket when they fired it they fired blank catreages and you had aught to see the rebs look we ware so near them that we could hear them talk so they asked us what it meant and we told them and they would not believe it the rebs/are very talkitive and ask many questions and when they find out how things is they ask us if we will not shoot them if they come over and we tell them we will not so they come and do not want to go back they are very friendly and have a great deal of talk. It is reported that Petresburg is taken also that Killpatrick has releced 30,000 prisners if that is so the war is near an end. Oh that the it was at an end not that I am tired serving my Country but I long to see home again.

 

            Mother what is thought in the north about this war coming to an end it is thought out here that it will end in less than six months Deserters/from the reb army are coming in at the rate of 8 eight a day just in front of the 24^th AC and some Corps have more come in than ours so you see the rebs are sick of the war as well as our men.

 

            I wrote to John the 27^th of January and have not got any answer but I suppose he does not have much time to write. My health is very good so I get along very well.

 

            When I am on picket they will not let us sleep at all so I get some tired then I have half a day to myself. I do hope Father will not get to drinking again I do not see what he left Lewis for. I wrote to him some time ago and directed in care of Lewis, Somers, Conn. but got no answer nor have I heard/from Lewis in a long time. Now as I have two letters more to write I will close Give my love to all the folks and a larg share to yourself

 

            This from your affec son

                                                            Horace Garrigus

                                                            C^o E 8^th Regt C.V.V.

                                                            24^th AC

                                                            Army of the James

 

Mr J. H. Garrigus

Co E 8^th Regt C.V.V.

24^th A.C.

            Richmond

 

I [?] Garrigus

Loren N. Garrigus

born May 3^d 1856

Aged 9 years

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