Camp 12^th Pa. V. Cavalry

                                                                                                            Bolivar Heights, Va.

                                                                                                                        June 10. 1864.

 

My ever Dear & Loving Wife:

                                    Good evening to you. How are you? I presume you are in good health. This has been quite a cool day. It reminded one of a pleasant autumn day. More so at least than Summer. But with all that, a very interesting and Loving letter from you was highly welcomed & cheerfully greeted by this writer of this. Its contents were carefully read and perused with an affectionate feeling, accompanied by a wish that I were only with you at the time. But what availeth wishes now-a-days? I have volunteered to defend my country’s cause and am doing so cheerfully & so far as I know, obediently. Quite a consolation is it still to me to hear from you so regularly, and at every time to receive the glad & welcome tidings that you are the possesor of excellent health. Oh! What cheering news it is to me. No one can feel it more than I do— / And thereunto is another privilege & pleasure connected, which is, that I can return to you the same news of myself. Queer indeed to me is how people can manufacture so much news about our Regiment as to have it rumored that we are in front of Richmond. True, if we were ordered to the front, we would go obediently and do our duty. But up to the present time we have not received any orders to leave here.

 

On yesterday a scout of 60 men of our Regt. were on a scouting tour, across the Shenandoah River in Loudon Co. Va, came in contact with a rebel scouting party. After quite a brisk & lively skirmish of a half hour our boys drove them, succeeding in capturing one Lieutenant & 8 men. We lost not a man in killed, wounded, or prisoners. I was on duty in Camp and consequently was not detailed to go along. I presume the folks out at home must think a great deal of you, to call so frequently to see you. I am proud to know it. That was quite a tramp you had when you were out at home. I trust you enjoyed it very much. And I also trust that you went out on the Thursday (yesterday) you spoke of going. When you answer this, let me know what Aunt that is that wanted to see you so much; and tell me what you think of her. It was quite a surprize to me to hear that John W. Hicks resigned, particularly at such times as these. But I presume he had his reasons for doing so. better known to him than us. I notice in the County Papers that there is a Samuel Black on the list of Drafted men. Do you know whether it is Brother Samuel? I would like very much to know. I have not heard from any of them since two weeks past. You appear to be the only regular correspondent I have. The others all appear to be very tardy.

 

What has become of Mollie & her man? I have not heard much about them of late. I suppose they are enjoying the honey-moon, and do not trouble their minds much about any other person. Luck to them all the time say I. I am sorry to hear that John Laise is so badly wounded. I think that if his father had any fatherly feeling for him, he would go to see him & try to get him home— /

 

[margin] 6 10/64

Every thing is moving cheerfully & smoothly in this section. Our duty is as easy as ever, And we enjoy it cheerfully. Joseph E. Engle reported to the company yesterday evening. He looks as well as ever. There are at present but three of our Company absent, two of which, (Stiffler & Gardner) are prisoners, and one in the Hospital in Maryland. There is but one in the Hospital at this place, and that is Joseph Lundy. I fear he will never get out of that, poor fellow I pity him very much. The other 101 are all in camp & well—

 

            Barney, Evans, & Walters are well & wish to remembered with great respect to you. Jennie, I am pleased to hear that you are used & treated so well by every person, and I trust they will continue to treat you as well while I am away. It makes me feel proud to know that you have so many friends. I trust you will never have less. I don’t see how any person could be an enemy of yours. Remember me with great respect & kind wishes to Jennie Conrad, and also to Mother, Aunt & Sam Confer.

 

            Jennie Dear, To you I say be as content as nature will allow: take good care of yourself. Let time glide by as swiftly as possible, trusting that you & I will live to see the end of this wicked rebellion, be permitted to meet each other again, knowing that peace is once more restored to our country and then live together in peace & harmony for years to come. Such is my prayer & I know it is yours too from the heart.

 

            My Dear Wife to you my ever Devoted & undivided

 

Love now & forever & ever.

 

            While to this I cheerfully attach my name

 

            As Your true, Devoted &

                                                Affectionate,

                                                            Husband

                                    Lieut. John H. Black

                                                Co. “G” 12 Pa. V. Cavalry,

To                                                        Harper’s Ferry,

            Jennie Black                                       Virginia

                        Duncansville

                                    Blair Co.

                                                Pa.

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