Headquarters 3^rd Div. 24 A.C.
                                                                                      in the field Va. Jan 18^th/65

My Darling

                        I have just received a very welcome & affectionate letter of yours Considerable time has elapsed since I have had one before. Nothing of importance has occurred with me since I wrote you last. The air is filled with rumors of peace; but I do not expect any thing to come of it I saw old Blair when he took his departure. He staid at the Headqr’s a day or two before he left for the doomed or “damned” City. Maj. Gen. Ben. has gone & no one is sorry. Before leaving he issued that order which I wrote you about in my last letter Allowing ten per cent of the Army to go home on furlough. But that was soon revoked and no one went on it. They are allowing a few to go now. My Lieut left last Saturday for fifteen days, & [?] my Sergt is going to stay for twenty days Never mind it will be my time by & by Lieut Jackson of Stonington left to day on a twenty days leave He is the only one from the Regt. Col. Brown applied/but his application was disapproved After all it is very much like drawing a ticket in a Lottery.

                                    The whole Army was jubilant last night over the news of the fall of Fort Fisher. Salutes were fired both with musketry & Artilery while the shouts of the soldiers rang in cheer after cheer The “Johnies” were still not following their usual custom of cheering in return In connection with the news of the glorious victory, it occures to my mind what an institution a Soldier’s mind is How susceptale of change. With the news of last night the soldiers spirets were elated He would think of home & that a few more such blows would bring peace & restore him to his home & loved ones Oh! what a joy His frame would thrill while his mind contemplated it. There can be no time when a man approaches so near heaven while on earth as when he returns to his home after having served his country faithfully as a soldier & secured a peace If the nation is at all grateful blessing will be showered upon his head. But the joy is in again folding in his arms/the form of his wife or sweetheart. I shall never grow tired of thinking of these things; but I can’t say that I shall not become impatient of their accomplishment you ask if I think I can “stand it” more than a month longer. In reply I would say I think “it” will stand if I should stay till my time was out “Joak” At any rate “it” stands now a fact which I am painfully conscious of at the present moment. * * *

                        When the Lieut with me gets back I think I may try to get home although I would not have you be at all confident of my success. for among other reasons we may move before he gets back. Nevertheless there is one thing I want & shall need whether I come or stay here that’s some money. I am nearly out & there is no such thing as living without it for the Govt. requires cash whether they ever pay or not I do not know which will be best to send But you had best send it in a letter all at one time. $10, or $15 will do for the present. I am sorry to send home for any that I have sent but it can not be got around/I can replace it again. It costs most of the officers a dollar a day to live & some of them more but it does not cost me that One reason is I do not keep a servant as the rest do for I can do my work myself. They would be convenient sometimes to Black a fellows boots when he is in a hurry, but I had rather dispense with them.

            You asked if you drew the state money now I think not.

            Leave off the Regt. when you direct again. I shall get the letter 12 hours sooner.                                                                                  Give my love to mother.

                                                It was undoubtedly meant for John Dunham of Co. “G.” the notice seen in the paper.

                                                                        Good bye love

                                                                                    Court.