1862

                                                                                                Camp California Feb. 14^th

 

            Dear friend Lou.

                                    Your very welcome and interesting letter in due time. I am very glad that you did not give me a scolding (as you thought you ought to) for my negligence as I don’t like scolding very well. Perhaps one occasionally would do me good however. Don’t think me negligent this time I would have written several days sooner, but was prevented by guard duty at the time. I always when I receive a letter, have a certain time in which to reply, but very often something interferes and then once thrown it may be several days before I can have an opportunity. I sometimes think we are a good deal bothered in our mess, but, then we are young and jolly and like/ fun—hence our companions call in frequently.

 

To say that your letter was interesting to one would not be doing it justice. It spoke volumes to my soul. it bid memory retrace her footsteps through the gathering shades of intervening years to the period of our childhood, brought back to my mind the happy times of youth, and thoughts of home, of loved friends, of fond recollections came crowding fast upon me. Memory scanned the years that have fled like flitting shadows before the rising Sun, gathered the rich harvest of joys & sorrows of realized hopes and blighted prospects, dreams of the past & future, dreams of pleasure, written on their records, and laid them at my heart’s door to ponder o’er—fit aliment for thought. ‘Tis not long since I would have hooted at the idea of my ever going to war, for I thought too much of peace, of the enjoyments of home and society, and even now the recital of pleasures and parties may bring a throb of regret to my bosome Yet I would/ not, for all the joys earth can afford, go home until I have have done something for my country, or until my humble services are no longer required in the army. Could I now have my choice I would choose rather to mingle in the heat and blaze of battle, with the stern messengers of Death whistling around, than in the pleasures of the evening party. When this infamous rebellion is crushed then—lookout—we will be home and not till then. We think the Ladies will be kept very busy reforming the returned soldiers, for I fear but few will return to their homes without being more or less demoralized.

 

We are in the best of spirits, only one thing chafing us, and that is our inactivity. Others are fighting the battles and winning the honors of the day. Victory after victory is leaving a brilliant record on the scroll of fame. Successes of the most cheering kind are daily occurring. rebel armies are destroyed, and strongholds/ taken, everything in fact to encourage and give ground for hopes that “Rebeldom” will soon be ours and war be over. I can hardly keep from hurrahing for Burnside.

 

Well Lou, I haven’t much news to give. there is a great deal of sameness about camp life. Last week we were out on picket, nothing of moment occurred—“All was quiet along the lines.” The nights our Co. were on picket & some of us had a nice time. I was in the Reserve, which was back a short distance from the lines, in a barn. we had a big fire in the center and enjoyed ourselves first-rate cracking jokes and eating toast bread and butter.

 

We had hoped to have got away from this some time since, as our Col. tried to get into Lane’s expedition to Arkansas and Texas, but was not successful. Now we are anxious to be sent to Kentucky, as one of the fifty regiments said to be ordered from the Army of the Potomac. That would be splendid, however we are not sanquine. Though we might have something to do here before long. It may be possible that Gen. McClellan will order an advance at an early day.

 

Our mess is considerably smaller than it was at first. Fulton was detailed for the signal corps and now Cy. is in the hospital. I was down to see him Yesterday and was glad to find that he was improving rapidly. His disease is completely checked, and if care is taken will be fit for duty in two weeks. Is in good spirits. Charlie is not getting along so well Does not improve very fast. He and Cy. are in the same room. They are well attended to and have many conveniences.

 

[front margin overwritten:] Eli is well and flourishing. Dave is just now sitting behind me drawing inspiration from a [?]—Wonder. What he sees in the curling wreaths of blue smoke that lazily ascend from it? Perhaps imagination may be busy, and a form like your own appear in the dreamy mists. He got a letter from you last eve, and it may be that his thoughts are directed towards your own fair self. But I will not disturb his reveries to inquire, lest I might change the channel. The taps have sounded and I had better close or the Officer may come round and order “Lights-out.” Give my regards to all the family, to the Misses Huston and all others. Don’t know now about your being betrothed to Sade—think it is rather selfish—much better if it were not a feminine. It’s a pity now, I have just commenced to write and must close. could write to you all night. Pleasant dreams to you. Hoping to hear from you soon I remain your

 

                                                                                                friend

                                                                                                            Wils.

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