Hd Qrs 4^th N. Y. Arty.

                                                                                                            March 22^d 1865.

 

My Dear Harriet:

                                    Wednesday night has come again & finds us enjoying our comfortable quarters—usual quiet clear conscience, good health & a fair degree of feelings of contentment & joyousness. Since hearing of Sarahs improvement I have been at rest in times & far more happy. No officer or Soldier can get a leave or furlough unless for the important reasons of Sickness, certified to, by physicians & surgeons in attendance, on the sick at home. Hence should my presence be needed be early to have the Certificate of Dr Craig forwarded. I saw James Dunlay yesterday—he is in fine health—belongs to Co “I” 14^th NY. Hy. Arty—3^d Brigade 1^st Divis 9^th A.C. He called to see me. / Capt. A.J.S. and all others I know here I believe are well. Twenty “Johnies” came into our lines yesterday fore noon 19 with arms & equipments & one with a bass drum. About all that come in now bring their arms so as to sell them & get a few “worthless GreenBacks” to spend. These came in, in sight of our camp & created considerable picket firing for a little while. They all say the confederacy has “gone up.” A heavy rain set in last night which may retard movements, should there be any need of the same.

 

But I dont think we will move much until Lee gets up to skedaddle out of Petersburg & Richmond. Hence I think we are subject to his movements. H—I received a 1/2 loaf of very nice cake last night from a young lady at Centerville Ontario Co N.Y. between Canandaigua & Bloomfield.

 

Of course “the Captain with his whiskers / never took a sly glance at her” as the song goes, but it was a gift “to the Senior Captain of the Regiment.” It was very fine—set on a circular fried cake 6 inches in diameter & handsomely filled with cross work which made it substantial as well as useful. The cake was very acceptable but what bothers me is—I cant find out the name of the fair donor Hence all I can do, is to eat it with a thankful heart, & bless our patriotic women at home, for remembering the soldier while deprived of home comforts—home quiet, & far away from its loved inmates.

 

We are now having evening meetings, about every night in the regiment of preaching, prayer & praise—a good interest is being felt & manifested in religion & spiritual themes. I will adjourn to one of them, & close this tomorrow, as I expect to receive a letter from you in the morning. So / good night to you all my prayers for your Safety & happiness.

 

Thursday morning March 23^d—

a pleasant, beautiful day—no letter to read or answer this morning & having a Division Review to attend today about 2 1/2 miles distant, I will close this, hoping to soon hear from you all in the enjoyment of health, happiness and a reasonable amount of prosperity.

 

            and Subscribe Myself as

                        Ever Yours truly

                                    Henry.

 

P.S. the 1^st letter I get from you I will answer immediately & send a X.

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