Camp Butler

                                                                                                            October 1^st 1862

 

Dear Miriam

                        I received your welcome but long looked for letter to day. I was verry sorry to hear that Eddy was sick I hope by the time you answer this he may be well again. I would like verry much to come home but cannot on acct of want of money I have been looking for you up here for the last week. Major Reed told me you would be up here last / Thursday or Friday I looked for you verry anxiously until Sunday night then I began to give up your coming. The longest furlough that I can get if I could get any would be for seven days it would take me two days to get home and two days to get back so that I would have only three days to stay at home I calculated when you and John came up to get a furlough and go home with you it would be considerable expense. We do not know how long we will stay here or when we will get our pay there was aregiment left here on Monday and a nother to day for Lexington Kentucky. It may be that we will / be ordered to leave here in aweek or two and we may winter here I have been sick for the last week I was on guard last Thursday when it rained so hard and got wet. I have had averry bad cold and afever ever since only in the morning about 10 oclock until two in the after noon then my fever would rise and I would be sick all night. I am getting better now and think I shall be all right in aday or two If you should not come up and think that it would justify me to come home for two or three days and you have any money to spare you may send it and I will try and come as I want to see you all be fore I leave here for Dixie. If you should come try and bring enough / provisions enough along to do you until you get back and plenty of quilts to sleep on I think I know where I can get anice room for you Eddy and me while you are here Tell Ma to send me aloaf of good light bread baked in around oven and some good biscuits we never see such things as biscuits in camp If you should come bring me some apples and peaches. I want you to answer this immediately as I shall wait until I get aletter from you before I will know what to do. I would like for you to send me the Greenville Advocate it is doubtful about me getting it if you should the post master here is ascoundrel Nothing more but remains your affectionate

 

husband until death H. B. Drake

SOURCES