Manchester Va

                                                                                             April 26^th 1865.

            Dear Mamie

                                    I have neglected you a long time longer than I was realy aware of. I could offer many things as excuses; but how foolish any thing but inability is for a man to offer as an excuse for not writing to one that is dearer to him than all else beside. I will tell you though what I have been doing. I have moved twice since I wrote last. The first time I moved to the wagon train of the Div. my men to act as a guard for it. Yesterday the whole Div moved to this side of the James river the other two Div. that had been with the Army that fought Lee came back & took our places in Richmond the city on this side of the river is called Manchester./

I am still with the wagon train very pleasantly situated I met with a slight mishap yesterday My horse stumbled with me and threw me. I am considerable lame to day but no bones broke. I have suffered considerable with the chills & fever lately, but the fall yesterday knocked them out of me. You are afraid it is dangerous for one of union sentiments about here; but I think it safer here than at the north. However it is not such small fry as myself that they are after. The citizens about Richmond deeply lament the death of the President The Army is all in mourning Colors draped & all Officers with crape on their arms. We do not hear of Joe. Johnstons surrender It would have been brought about but the terms did not suit the Washington authorities. I hope to hear of the event being consumated soon/

            Oh! how I wish I could be at home to night. The Army is more tedios when it is quiet than when there is fighting & marching to busy ones mind Well darling I must close with much Love excuse great haste Give my love to mother

                                                                                    Your

                                                                                                Court.