Memphis Tennesee Mar 23^rd

 

Dear Miriam

                        I received aletter from Ewel by Major Reid stating the death of our beloved boy Eddy no person but those that have lost their own dear children can form any idea of my surprise and grief at hearing of his death. it was the last thing that I was expecting when I left home you know that he was well and lively I cannot hardly believe that he has gone he was my only hope for the future except yourself You Eddy and Ma were the only persons that I cared for in this world it seems verry hard and I can hardly think that it is just but I suppose that we will to be resigned to his loss it may be the best after all but I would rather he had been spared and myself taken a child so intelligent and lovely as he was verry seldom lives / you must not give up in despair there may yet be something that you would live for there may yet be some bright days for you. As for myself it makes no difference all that I want to live for is for you and Ma as for myself I care nothing but will stay with my regiment until death or until I am honorably discharged and conduct myself properly for your sake I have yet that lock of Eddys hair which I shall keep while in the army We will leave here today or tomorrow for Vicksburg there is great bustle and confusion now as we are preparing to leave I had thought of telling you to come and stay with me if you wanted to but it is now too late as the place we go to is verry sickly and there would be to much risk for you to run of loosing your life. I went out to Collierville on friday to see George and stayed until Sunday evening George is well and / looks well he is the same George that he was at home I got aletter from him afew days before I went but did not answer it but went and answered it in person he is anoble soldier and appears to be well liked by all the boys in his company while I was out there one night about ten oclock one of the picket guards fired off his gun in aminute all were out of their bunks and had their guns and equipments on and formed in line of battle ready for afight I went out with them it was afalse alarm caused by some one firing out side the picket lines The twenty sixth is asmall regiment but well drilled men. Nathan Elligood is dead he died on Saturday and was sent home on Sunday. George Uzzel went up with the corpse. I will send this letter up by Mr Johnson Comer and also fifteen dollars and will send you more as soon as we draw which I think will be soon if we should be so fortunate as to come back from Vicksburg all right / if we come to any place like this or to any place where you could be comfortably situated if you want to you may come and stay with me Keep up your spirits and put your trust in God and all may yet come right Write as soon as you get this and write verry often and every letter shall be answered promptly

 

Nothing more but remains

your affectionate husband

until death

                        Henry B. Drake

Miriam E. Drake

 

P.S. do as you please with the money I send you

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