Fairfield Tennessee

                                                                                                                        April 1^st 1863

 

Dearest Lena

                        Again I shall endeavor to write you a few lines trusting that you may receive them A Brooks this day received a letter from home which stated that no letters had been received from any of us since we left

I have written on every opportunity that presented itself where there was any probability of a letter reaching you & today again I make the attempt hoping this may at last reach you

 

I can venture to give no news I am in good health now but have been sick nearly all winter with Diarrhea All of the boys from our neighborhood are well Newton Pottorff died in December last at Fort Oak East Tennessee He was well cared for nursed and waited on during his illness his disease was Typhoid Pneumonia

 

Capt S B Williams is very/ sick at a farm house about a mile from camp. George Sanders & Samuel Brooks are waiting on him

 

I have been very unfortunate with horses since I left last having had to pay $350, 00 for horses Since I reached Tennessee

 

The boys are all very anxious to reach home to see their friends and trust the time is not far distant when we will be ordered to Kentucky but in my opinion that is very uncertain. I need not tell you how much I long dearest to see you and our two little ones. God knows if ever I reach home again and be permitted to live there in peace I shall value it higher infinitely higher than ever I did before Do not think from this I regret the step I have taken no much as I deplor the seperation from you and all I hold dear on earth, yet I would, and am willing/ to suffer every privation for the sake of the glorious caus I have espoused

 

            But of the ultimate success of our caus I have never for a moment doubted nor do I think the time is far distant when we will all be permitted to return to our homes in peace

 

I have much to tell you but prudence forbids there is no place like an army to try men some I thought but little of at home have proven true friends, and others I esteemed high and favored often have become most bitter enemies and have injured me much but I trust all will come out right at last at least do not fear that I will do anything beneath the dignity of a soldier or a man and now my dear farewell Keep in good spirits and trust with a cheerful heart that gloomy as the prospects now are for a speedy reunion that all things/

 

[faded and obscured]

                        and close

                                    this by a gentleman who intends starting for Ky on tomorrow

 

Kiss Magga & Charley for me Lieut [?]ysson is well & sends love to family & friends

                                    Your Affectionate Husband

                                                            [paper fold]

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