Kearneysville Va.

                                                                                                                        Feb. 18/63

 

            My Dear Friend Jennie:—

                                                            About ten minutes ago the mail carrier came into my tent and found me all alone, and said to me “John, I have a letter for you and it is from your “Duck” too” and on receiving it I found his saying to be about as near the truth as he generally tells. On opening and reading it I found it to be a very interesting and welcome letter from the friend of my heart and choice. And with justice to you from me I will answer it ere I retire in order that it will leave by tomorrow’s mail. Had it been a letter from any body else, I would have postponed the answer until tomorrow, but I could not bear the idea of me going to bed without a few words to you on paper, at least. /

 

So you can easily see how highly I value your letters above all others and in the same proportion as I value the letters do I sincerely value you, although you are far from me. And it does me much good and cheers me when I hear of you being in good health. About you often getting almost out of heart on account of the continuance of this war, I am not a particle surprized at you, for there are many that feel likewise, but for myself I am getting in good hopes that this war will not last so very long any more, not over a year at the farthest if that long. In one year from now I expect to see the close of the war and myself at home with you, with the solemn vow that never shall be broken by me or you, “God’s will be done” and not ours, Jennie; And so we will let the worse go with the better and take everything cool and with a resigning will and conscience. And so Miss Maria Stiffler has two beaus, and does not know which to choose. My opinion is that she had better make her choice and discard the other for it has been and is my private opinion that one true beau was and is sufficient for any one true girl, and on the other hand likewise. I will still consent to let every body have their own opinion. And for yours, I know well to a true satisfaction. Everything is moving along quite smoothly with us, and we are passing the time swiftly. Our wounded man is recovering rapidly. He was in Camp on yesterday to see us and thinks that he will soon be well again and fit for duty. The bullet came closer to him than I want one to me. /

 

So George Slayman has come down to hard crackers. We have the advantage of him in that so far. We have fresh meat fresh bread, onions & Potatoes along with our coffee and that plenty too. It is here that we live well, but how long it will last we cannot tell We have had to eat cracker but one week since I returned to the regiment And well we deserve all those things, for we have three times as much duty to do as we ought to do. but we do it cheerfully and never complain particularly while we live so well. good living is the half of what a soldier stands in need of, and then he can get along. it matters not what duty is imposed upon him. Did I tell you we were paid on the 12 of this month; It will be nothing wrong if I tell you the second time.

 

My Love to you, my respects to all your folks at home.

 

                                    I will sign as before

                                                Yours forever and ever will be true

                                                                                                John H. Black

                                                                                                Co. G 12 Pa. Cav

                                                                                                Martinsburg Va.

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