Camp 12. Pa. V. Cavalry.

                                                                                                            Charlestown, Va.

                                                                                                                        Jan. 5./65.

 

My Dear Wife:

                        It is mine on this a very cold & bleak winter evening, while alone in my tent to acknowledge the receipt of another of your favors. On opening and perusing with attention and great respect it proved a very valuable cheering and Loving letter. It is still my pleasure to receive the delightful news of you enjoying excellent health, a great & privileged blessing indeed. And to you my Dear I am permitted to return the same cheering news to the same effect in regard to myself. The only thing that troubles my mind is that I am perfectly aware that you are laboring under great discontentment in regard to me / being absent from you. I feel very sorry for you, and if it were in my power under the wide canopy of heaven to alleviate you I would certainly do it. I would if it were in power (for your sake alone) leave the service immediately, but Dear Jennie it is altogether beyond my control & power. Many is the night after I lay me down in my humble soldier cot that I get to studying about you and me being absent from you, and while so studying often do the tears come unbidden. I like the service & were it not for you my dearest earthly friend I would always be a soldier. But no, I will not always be a soldier. At my first honorable opportunity I will quit the service and return to you. But bear in mind never dishonorably, for the latter would break my heart. /

 

Oh! had I not re-enlisted on the 7^th of next month I could & would claim my discharge and return to you, but it is too late & that is over. So we will let that pass by and hope for the best, the Lord being our guide.

 

I am sorry to learn that you did not have a merry Christmas. If I would have been there you would have had for I know I could have made it a happy one to you.

 

            So you say that James Irwin is cutting quite a dash among the ladies. Good for him. Did he ever tell you how he happened to get wounded? It was not in battle. It was merely an accidental shot in Camp made out by himself. At least his Lieut. told me so a few days ago. That is all I know about it. /

 

That is quite a laughable wit of yours. Wishing that you had one of those 4 children the fortune woman told you you were to have, and that it would be company to you. Did I not tell you that several times after we were married, that such a thing would be quite a comfort to you. And you said not while I was away.

 

Never mind a good time a coming. I am pretty confident of getting home some time this winter or in the Spring, and then—

 

never mind you understand it all. Don’t take any offense at what I say Jennie. It is only me talking to you. No harm meant at all.

 

You may expect me at home at my first opportunity as I have told you before. /

 

You see by the last paper I sent you that our Colonel left us. Since then we have had the honor to have a new one appointed, Reno, I believe is his name. He came to Camp this evening. He is a young man, but a bright chap I presume

 

            I am much obliged to you for the stamp. You need not send me any more as I am on duty at the Ferry and can get plenty at the office.

 

I have gay & easy times.

 

That New Year’s kiss is accepted with a thousand thanks, trusting that I can give you a real one in return in many weeks. Would it not be pleasant!

 

Barney is well, also Sam O. Evans & Henry Wilt. /

 

Remember me with kind regard to Mother Aunt & Sam Confer.

 

I sent Sallie & Anna each a New Years gift, consisting of a Gutta Percha inkstand and a few pens.

 

My ever true devoted & undivided

            Love to you

            My name as Your ever true

            devoted & affectionate

                                                Husband

                                    Lieut. John H. Black

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