“Blessed be the name of the Lord”

“For his mercy endureth forever”

 

                                                                                                Hilton Head” Port Royal S.C.

                                                                                                            December 2, 1861.

 

Dear Sister

                        You perhaps have felt that I have slighted you but you will dispell all such ideas, for I have been busy and I have written a very large lot of letters home, and I felt that you would always get the contents as tho’ they were superscribed to you. I mean to direct as evenly as possible to each one, so that there will be no hard feelings.

 

                        I am very glad that Andrew is geting better. Poor fellow he is having a tough time of it and no mistake. I hope that the wound is such that it will never trouble him after it once heals up. It must have been an awful bad wound as shot tear worse than a ball, especially when discharged so near the person. I wish there was something that I could do or surgest for his good and comfort, but I know of nothing. I am sorry to learn of your ill health. You must keep quiet and not work too hard./

 

My wife speaks very tenderly and affectionatly for you—and also speaks of the children, of lovely Cora. The little darling. I would like her picture with me it would make me happy. I understand she prays for her uncle Mart. if I get the prayers of such little angels as Cora I shall feel perfectly safe. Sue you are blessed with a lovely family and God grant that you have seen your last trouble, for the presant at least.

 

                        If I am ever blessed with children and they are like yours I shall think I have got a precious “Box of diamonds” But that is so far ahead that we won’t talk about it now.

 

                        My health has been poor for a fortnight past. I was sick with fever and the Dr gave me blue pills & being unable to keep down oil I did not work it off and have since suffered from the efects of it. My limbs are quite lame at times but I am doing well now & completely out of danger.

 

                        I am glad to learn that Etta got her money and she has done what I told her to, give ten dollars to mother. She is a good girl and does just what is right/

 

                        My bills for my outfit for the amounted to nearly $100.00 and I sent home all that I could, leaving only $5. in my pocket to last me two months from the time I was paid. In a month from now my pay will amount to $240.00 and and I shall keep just enough for my wants. the rest I shall send home if I think it propper.

 

                        The is a prospect of my being raised to a Captaincy. There are is a Capt who has shaken down the Government by making out False Pay Roles and another who is likely to be promoted to the Majorship Col Whipple is under arrest for getting drunk and insulting Officers of equal Rank in other Regiments. He has been drunk most of the time since we landed, and it is no use to try to hide the matter any longer.

 

                        If he remanes with the Regt He will have to alter his course or the Regiment will go to the d—l I am sorry that it has come to this pass. Mr Willis carried the Pledge to him and he signed it, not to drink any more ardent spirits. But it will/ be impossible for Col Tom to let rum alone. He has steeped himself too long already—Poor fool, when he is so smart and when he has had such a good chance to be somebody—

 

                        When we left Manchester we left in flying colours but now we are in a sad fix—

 

                        Col Bell is likely to become our Col—and the change will be a good one for all. Our Co is very eficient in drill in the skirmish drills and all kinds it is has got so dark that I can hardly see and a fearful storm is coming up, so I must close Don’t tell any body how you get this new’s about Whipple for should he remain, some of his friend at home might report me—

 

            Please write as soon as you get this and oblige your brother

(love to all)                                                                                         Martin Richardson

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