Phila. Nov 2^d/62

 

My Friend Dewces

                                    Your letter written since your return reached me Thursday morning. I have been intending to answer it all this evening, but have had a young lady visitor; so it is just now that I have found an opportunity to do so. I hope I am too patriotic to be glad that you did not go on as you wished—still I was very thankful to hear of your/ safety. I was much obliged to you for writing as you promised your letter got here just before I heard the public report which was this—that the N.Y. Rifles and the 11^th Pa. Cavalry had been in an engagement—quite a serious affair etc.,—I was glad that I had more reliable news. Do not despair, you may soon have another chance. You say you “cannot tell what the authorities mean to do.” Neither do I—although I do not approve of finding fault—I sometimes feel very anxious; but “the Army of the Potomac” is moving so we may expect some/ good news. You seem to place good confidence in your Col., it must be an agreeable change.

 

                                    Miss Ather was up a short time since—she had heard of your promotion through Mr. Hassy, who was in the city over night last Monday, I presume he obtained his information at Coatesville. Allow me to congratulate you—I was very glad to hear of your success and hope it may be only the first round of many which you shall ascend on the ladder of success.

 

                                    This has been a beautiful day more like May than/ November. How swiftly the months and years glide by—here we are already in the second year of this war!

 

                                    I commenced this letter last evening and am just finishing it this afternoon. If the weather was unseasonable yesterday it is making up for it today—the wind seems to be wreaking its vengence on every thing indiscriminately; nevertheless I intend going out for a walk. I feel so much better when I do go out that I make it a matter of conscience to go a little way/ every afternoon. Saturday I went to walk in the park, you know we are quite near to it, the foliage is all changing and really looks beautiful in its Autumnal hues. Do you like Suffolk any better than you did at first?

 

                                    The “draft” has been going on in the country near us; but as Philadelphia has more than filled her quota we are exempt. Some of those who have been drafted are encamped over in West Phila. I feel sorry for them—they have the same to suffer but none of the glory. there is not much honor in being forced to go. Write soon and Believe me—Your Friend

                                                A.

 

[margin] I think you took a very unfavorable view of the scout.

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