Camp Near Stowermans Station Va

                                                                                                Feb 22^nd 1863

 

                                                Dear Sister Agnes

 

                                                I am seated to answer your kind letter which I received on last evening I am much pleased to hear from you to hear that you are in the enjoyment of health likewise your good mother Aunt Charlott and your brother Agnes I have written you a letter which I suppose you have received ere this but on receiving yours last evening I will write an immediate answer I stated in the one previous to this one that I have received the present which you sent me and I feel a thousand times obliged to you for your kindness the letter which Aunt Charlott sent me tell her was kindly/received and perused with much interest. to night I feel somewhat down hearted and care worn what makes me feel so I do not know. you wanted to know if I have tried to get a furlough to come home well Sister Agnes I have but in vain as there is several sick ones in our company and their applications were in a head of mine so I can not get one but as I cannot get to see any friends I intend to make good use of my pen while I am so permitted our Regiment is not at Washington neither do we expect it to go their we are yet in our winter quarters where we expect to stay until the later part of march or the first of April then the army will commence another summers campaign but with what success is yet to be known well Sister Agnes it is quite late but at this late hour our brass band is giving us a splendid seronade which is cheering to the lonesome heart of your adopted brother./

 

Oh how lonesome I get some times as I often set up until all is quiet in camp then I reflect on my past life on the present and my thoughts are carried away on in the distant future but (be)fore me all is dark and not one gleam of light appears to my benighted heart Oh how sad I feel when I reflect on our present doomed nation. what kind of a people are we is a thought that often impresses my mind shall our land the light and guide of other nations be left to ruin and moulder in the dust with those of dark and benighted Affrica. it seems to me that our down fall is nigh at hand. well Agnes my tent is getting quite cold as I have let my fire go out the tent mates are asleep we have a visitor staying with us to night he is from York State quite an old Gentleman he has a son in a regiment near here and a good many acquaintences in our regiment.

 

there the band is playing another tune a very beautiful one indeed called Willie Dear/

 

Agnes tell Maggie I wish her much happiness all through life

                                                and a blessing in death.

                                                my love to Sister Agnes

                                                to your mother Aunt Charlott

                                                and your brother

                                                from Your adopted brother

                                                and true friend

                                                            Francis C Miller

                                                                        to Agnes

P.S. the night is dark and a snow storm is commenced

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