Franklin, Dec 16^th 1863

 

Dear Mother and Sister

            Today by the mail I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you, which was very acceptable and am glad to know that you are all well as this letter finds me with the one exception of my leg. in fair weather I am all right, but as soon as a change comes, it will begin to ache but that is nothing. our regt is about all mounted now but I have not got my horse yet but expect to soon. I have got my sabre but have not got my carbine, or revolver. I do not like cavalry as well as infantry but I think as soon as we get used to it we shall like it.

 

The wind is blowing very hard just now and I think we may get some rain before it is over, it about shakes my little tent down. The K Maine Regt has arrived to relieve our Provost Guard so all the men can be with the regt to drill. There is a great deal of work to do in the cavalry.

 

I am glad to see that you received my letter but I think you ought to have received a letter from me telling you to direct my letters to the regt. if the bottle with the pickles in it was broken the pickles were good after I got another bottle and put them in vinigar, you seem very particular about the loss of those cans. I aint so particular about so small a loss. if I have got to pay for the box it’s all right.

 

We are liable to stop here for two or three months. The 19^th Army Corps are to hold open the Teche country while Gen Banks is operating in Texas. I know it would make you feel bad to see the wounded men, but I have seen so much of it I have got used to it. Dear Mother do not be so particular about small losses. I know it is hard times but do let it trouble you so.

 

Col Fearing has been home after the conscripts and has returned again with a little over 400. we have a good number of them in our Co. they drill very well for new hands but some of them were in the army of the Potomac and the Gulf, two years men. they got large bounties most of them from $200.00 to $600.00 apiece.

 

You say there has been considerable rain there it is the same here. I heard some of the Officers saying they thought Head would not come out here again. he won’t as long as he can stay north. What a boy Joseph O Jones is he told me that John William Jones was at home and working in the Shop. I think I shall believe you before I shall him, he is not in the Co now but butchering. Joe makes a smart butcher but he is a funny story teller. I am sorry for Mrs Jones. You know I always excuse your writing, for I know you are getting old and nervous. I got a letter from Father the other day and answered it and in it I spoke about you know what. I offered to help him all I could out of my small wages and did like you told me. I think I must say something about Lizzies letter which is very interesting. The lecture about Jeff Davis must be very interesting but niggers are great on telling yarns. of course a negro has a memory sometimes better than a great many white men. Donations are very nice but they never do me any good. I think they had better up donations for the old soldiers who have left the state and give them a bounty of two or three hundred apiece and not for them miserable nine months men that ran at the first fire. I wonder if there will be any young lady for me when I get home, if I do so. I see they are all getting married if I new of one I should write to her sometimes. I do not know the name of the flower I sent you. Tell Lizzie I did not send the ring because it was not fit.

 

I expect to get a regular detail as adjutants clerk then I wil not do any duty at all in the Co. I suppose before this reaches you it will be New Years if so I wish you all a happy new year and good health how is Mrs Coe and family give my love to them and all the neighbors. I think I must write to Mrs Trefethen soon. give my love to her and family. we now have men from most all nations in our company. I think I will close soon as I know nothing more to write about. I think you might lit the preserves and things go and get me a pair of No. 8 long-legged boots instead made by Mr Kimball or somebody else to come above my knees as we are now in the cavalry give my love to all, and do not have them make the boots very heavy

 

                                                            from your affectionate Son

                                                                        Reuben Haworth

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