Union Mills Va Aug 5^th/63

 

Dear Wife

                        I seat my self to ans your kind letter of the 29^th it found me well. I was glad to know that my loved ones at home ar well as useual. I suppose you ar having ripe Apples by this time and lots of good things to eat out of the garden. and by the way where is your garden, do you have any new potatoes yet. I have had some twice. the boys go out and dig them a most every day. it is [                 ] for us aspecially when th[     ] guard over them, we will wach the guard and when his back is turned we slip in and lay down and pull the tops out and then dig them with our hands and when we get enough/ we look up and when the guards back is turned we jump and run like good fellows. I do not know whether they taste any better or not. we never steal any thing, all we do is confiscate what we want to eat or want, or as the boys call it drawing such and such a thing. if one of us draw any thing and an Oofficer asks where it was got, the answor is why we bought it. all right he sayes, and that is all there is of it. Sumar time is the looked for by the Soldier for fun for then we can get things things to eat that the Govermment does not furnish, aspecially by Cavelry men for they can ride faster, will go where Infantry men will not go. if a squad of Cavelry go/ out or go with the army, they do not eat half of the time what Uncle Sam furnishes us. the Southerners ar grate hands for smoaked ham. they cut out the hams and then cut the rest up in long strips, and then smoke the hole hog. when a squad of Cavelry go out on a scout, they make for the smoak hous, and the Chicken coop the first thing. they do not take any thing unles the man of the hous is Sesesh, and if they show spite any then the boys go in hole hog or non (it is onley Soldiers play you know) I porsume you think Soldiers ar pretty hard cases. well they might be for they live out of dores, and it is natural for out dore man animals to pick for good/ living. if a hors can get in an Ooat field he is pretty apt to fill his belly full. just so with Soldiers, but enough of this; you ask me who I am a going to send my money to. I shall send it to you of cours. all the money I send home after this I shall send to you, for you can do what I want don with it just as well as any one, and then I shall know what is don with it. you say that you ar a going to get a new dress. well I would to if you want it. I am afraid you do not get what you and bubby need, do not go with out cloaths any way for I shall send you money to pay for them all. Sarah I wish when you send me my things you would make me a little pillow just large enough for ones head to lay on, one half as large as one you yous is plenty large enough. if you send me one have it vary full of fethers and the case maid of dark new calico, for new will last better, and dark will not show durt. but I must end for this time. this is from your husband, my love to you and bubby,

 

Sarah & Luie                                                                                       Albert R Whitney

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