Head Quarters of 17^th Me

                                                                                                Camp Near Brandy Station

                                                                                                                                    Va

                                                                                                            April 21^st 1864

 

            Dear Friends

                        At Home

 

                                    As days and months pass away I am cheered with the prospect of being nearer home. Yes although we may go many more miles from home yet as the year rolls round we think we are nearer home. In 16 months we hope to meet you all at home once more. Yet what changes may come among us we do not know. It is true we are in da amidst dangers here yet we do not forget that if we are spared there may sad changes at home. God grant that we may all meet again on earth if not here, may we be/ permitted to assemble an unbroken familey around the throne of God.—

 

            We are all well except William has hurt his ankle a little but not so but that he has charge of the Company he has been in command of his Company for more than a week, the Captain being absent.

 

            William is getting along finely and I think is a fine officer.

 

            I have purchased me a horse he is a cheap one but a splendid saddle horse. he would be worth more than an hundred dollars, but one of his ankles has been injured and now is a little larger than the other, but he does not go a bit lame. he cost me with a saddle 39 dollars he is not more than 8 or 9 years old. I would not sell him for 60 dollars/ I cant see walking when I can have a horse. Dr Colman covers him for me so I shall not have him taken from me.

 

            We shall probably moove soon but when I do not know—

 

The mail will be stoped when we moove so you must not worry if you dont hear from us for a while then.

 

Every thing goes along smoothly here now

 

            Sunday 24

            We have orders to moove to-morrow morning at 8 oclock. We shall moove only 2 or 3 miles. Benjamin Sturgis is near here he is assistant Surgeon in the 19^th Maine. Glad he has been so fortunate.

 

            William is getting along/ nicely he is a little lame yet but is still in command of his company. We are all in the best of spirits and are willing to moove and find the Rebs.

 

            I shall be more punctual in the furture in regard to writing to you. I shall write every week. I expect the mail will soon stop for a short time so you need not think strange if you dont writ hear from us for a time

 

            Love to all

                        from Gorham

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