In Rifle Pits One Mile to the left of Appomattox

                                                                                    Near Petersburg V^a

                                                                        Sunday—October 23^d 1864.

 

My Dear Harriet:

                                    Again in Rifle Pits & again priviledged to answer your very kind, acceptable letter of 18^th & 19^th which came to hand this morning with one from Mother—both of which, with the influences of a beautiful morning the usual quietness of a Sabbath morn on the Picket lines made me feel happy in mind, cheerful in spirits & hopeful of the future. My own good health, just at present time contributed much to this feeling, but your firmness—your punctuality thoroughness in the transaction of business & family responsibillities, with the encouragement & hope you express for the future, materially assist in making me feel contented cheerful & happy. The only draw back to my good feeling for the past week has been in consequence of a boil on my hip near the small of the back which has not yet matured. Having to endure this, & night fatigues while in command of 200 men, some times all night, sometimes has made me fret & feel cross & perhaps scold my / officers & men some. “Addie” came up Friday last to make me a visit, & H—I can say he never looked better—is feeling tip top & contented. I had a good visit with him—gave him counsel & direction—enquired after his every want & finding he was nearly out of money gave him $5—to last until pay day comes around.

 

I walked nearly to the Rail Road Station with him & then took my leave of him & the last I saw of him was on a distant hill swinging his cap in answer to a like salutation of mine. Harriet He is no coward—stands the Soldiers life with manly firmness & true christian philosophy. I mean by this, that he observes a perfect christian deportment in all his acts. I am glad to know that some mysterious (?) home & church, influences controll his feelings & conduct; and also to know he is a favorite with the regiment “Always making the fatiguing marches” until after the Deep Bottom & Rhemes Station hardships. I think he is almost, with his father, inclined to think that he can be engaged in no nobler cause than that of his Countries—in putting down those who are traitors to it. I see H—that whenever you attend public places & meetings you become patriotic & enthusiastic yourself—so dont blame me for engaging in the noblest cause that loyal citizen can do—the / suppressing of the Rebelion against the peace of humanity—our country & the best government that God ever vouchsafed to his children. Let us all therefore at home & in the field, use every effort in word & deed to restore the Union & give back that blessed peace once so highly enjoyed by our people—not by shameful concessions or pleadings for a “cessation of hostilities,” on our part, however.

 

Would it not look better, for those that commenced this war & are now in arms against it, to ask for this “cessation of hostilities” & the terms of peace? None but a copperhead or traitor would answer this in the negative.

 

You say my vote is rec’d there. I am glad to know it will be cast for the Administration. H—I regard the man who votes against the cause in which we are engage, no better than the enemy 100 yds in front, who fires his bullets at us. When they say the Army of the Potomac will vote for “little M^c I can exclaim with fighting Jo Hooker; “I cant see it”, & as you will see when they are returned & counted.

 

I am glad you have rented the shop—am not very sorry for the calamity spoken of, only as it affects individuals concerned. So far as a public benefit, I can sympathise with the majority at home. Perhaps you had not better engage any more wood until people get to cutting & drawing in the winter—it may be cheaper with many other things. /

 

You can do as you see fit about the stove—but I will try & get home if prospered sometime this winter & look after it myself. I have the “hat” you spoke of & it is a good one yet—will save it. Perhaps if you can borrow money & get a little credit at Leonards you had not better use any more of the Bank money. A man was shot Tuesday night last, trying to desert from the 5^th N. H. regmt—he was shot twice in the back—I heard them halt him & fire—he was taken to Brigade Hd. Qrs. where I saw him—he had confederate money on him—was a bounty jumper, & perhaps had a family in Petersburg V^a. The 5^th N. H. is cursed with many such & have lost 30 or 40 in this way. Have the Deed to A—. recorded. I think it is always suitable for the parties making a deed to pay the expense himself—but in this case I suppose it will be fair & just for me to stand it. We must have some trees set around the place in the spring & some repairs. How do you get along with Lawlis? Tell Mother her letter gave me much consolation & will receive an early answer. Give her, with father—your father & mother & all the near relatives my love.

 

I would like to be with you all—my dear companion & my loved & loving children; & kind relatives & friends but must continue in the service of my country a little longer & live in the pleasing hope of meeting you all ere long, & receive your kind & affectionate greetings. Until then receive my assurances of continued love, & fidelity to your best interests & believe me as ever    Henry.

 

[front margin] I like to receive your papers with the pencilings—you can do it with safety here as the soldiers letters or papers are never meddle with & he respected as the “honest man—the noblest workmanship of God.”

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