Camp 12^th Pa. V. Cav.

                                                                                                Bolivar Heights Va.

                                                                                                            Oct. 4.1864.

 

My Dear Wife:

                        This evening I had the good pleasure of receiving another of your very highly valuable & cheerful letters. It came to hand very soon for I find it to be mailed on but yesterday. I am rejoiced to see that it reached me so soon after being written. It was read & re-read by me and pondered over with pleasure. And as I find leizure time at my command this evening I will do my best to answer it and that too in a style (in my opinion) most pleasing and interesting to you. Good news to me it brought of the continued good health of yourself; trusting that such may always be your news to me. To you it is my privilege this evening to report to you in the best of health. My headache & bad cold have have disappeared and left me again perfectly well. I am very thankful that such is the case. I was pleased to hear that you spent a few days at Father’s I trust you had a gay and joyful time, and spent the time agreeably. I always love to hear of you being out at home, / If I am so situated that I cannot go with you out then I am glad that you can go. I trust that the time will soon come that I will be permitted to go with you.

 

You say that Mollie is at home and that you saw her when you were there. How does she appear? Does she look as though she were married near six months and had a man to sleep with her for 5 months? Excuse me Dear Jennie for talking so, but please answer the questions since I have asked them. You say that Sue’s Baby is very cross and always crying. They shouldn’t have babies If they do have them they shouldn’t have such cross ones. I am sorry to hear that Sue & Will cannot get along like man & wife should. What a shame it is indeed for married folks to quarrel. But let them quarrel as much as they wish I do not like to hear of them misusing our friend Lue. I am a particular friend of Lue’s and it gives me pain to hear of her being ill-treated. My wishes for her are good & have always been. I think the best of her plan would be to leave them and go home and if she is not needed there why it would be better for her to go out among strangers than to be among relatives and be ill used. Oh! I only wish she could find a beau and marry him, one that would be a kind & loving husband to her and treat her as / man should treat a wife. I don’t think that Skyles & her will ever get married. I don’t think they could agree long enough to set the day and wait until its arrival.

 

So I see you have not taken the School “Marm” to board. I presume it is just about as well if not better. Now you will not be troubled with her. It is a great wonder that Ellen Toole does not board her

 

            Times are gay in the Valley. No enemy near at present, except a few Guerillas occasionally and they do not amount to anything. Sheridan is over 100 him miles from here, and did very well. He is one of those Generals that gains victories & follows them up. I see by the papers that Grant is moving boldly & surely on toward Richmond. I don’t think the day far distant until the news will be sent forth on the wires that Petersburg & Richmond are ours. Oh! What Glorious news that will be. The day is fast drawing nigh when this war will be over at least I have that opinion. And then the soldiers be permitted to return to their beloved homes. Me to my Dear Wife nevermore to leave her while life remains oh! will not that be joyful news to you & me. I wish that day were here & I know you do too. We will have to wait /

 

Sam. O. Evans, Guin & Barney are with us yet & well. Lundy went home on Furlough (Sick) some ten days ago. he promised to write to me but has not yet done it. He did not say whether he would call to see you, I trust he will.

 

Jennie Dear, Remember me in all kindness to Mother Aunt and any others who may inquire about me.

 

And last but not least to you my ever true devoted & undivided Love.

            While my name herunto attached as

                        Your ever true, devoted &

                                                                        Affectionate

                                                                                    Husband,

                                                            Lieut. John H. Black

                                                                        Co. “G” 12. Pa. V. Cav.

                                                                                    Harper’s Ferry, Va.

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