Camp 12. Penna. Cavalry.

                                                                                                Charlestown, Va.

                                                                                                            March. 6. 1865.

 

            My Dear Wife:

                        Good evening to you. I honestly trust that as I write this that you are well. On Saturday evening I had the honor of another very valuable & highly encouraging letter from you, which was very welcomely received and read with great respect to the writer thereof. And ere I retire this night I will endeavor to respond and at the same time, make it as interesting as possible. I am pleased to hear that you still have the good fortune of reporting yourself in excellent health. In return I give you the same news of myself You mentioned about receiving a paper. I presume it will be the last one you will get of that kind. The establishment is closed; the men who were carrying it on were wanted for duty and consequently had to quit work, and so it closed up—

 

Now about the getting home. It is with sorrow that I have to acquaint you of the fact that it is / all over for this time. On Saturday last an order reached the Regiment saying that there would be no more Furloughs granted. And as I had not yet had mine granted, it came under that Order. And here I am only to tell you that you need not look for me home this Spring because it is now out of the question. I well know that this news will grieve you and no doubt cause you to take a cry but indeed I can’t & could not help it. I have never been so sadly disappointed since I have been in the Army. So Dear Jennie content yourself as well as you can and live in hopes of the war ending during the coming Summer & of in the hope of me getting home safe to you ere another winter and that to remain with you.

 

Poor Lue! I pity her that she can never have a beau without some people must be trying to create a disturbance between her & him. I am sorry to hear that Will Leighty and family are ill. I trust their illness is not serious. You can tell Mrs. Engle that she need not look for Barney home this Spring / He is now in the same fix I am he cannot get away since the order is issued.

 

The news of the Valley is very encouraging this evening. The rumor is that General Sheridan attacked the rebel General Early at Charlotteville Va. and captured him & his Staff Officers & 1800 men. Good for the gallant Sheridan. It appears that our troops are victorious wherever they go now-a-days.

 

So Jennie I tell you again be of good cheer. this war will close ere long and you & I may (by the kindness of Providence) be permitted to spend many happy days together yet

 

            Remember me kindly to Mother & Aunt & also to Sam. Confer.

 

My ever true devoted, undivided & never failing Love to you my Dear Wife.

 

While to this I put my name as

                                    Your ever true devoted &

                                                            Affectionate

                                                                        Husband

                                                Lieut. John H. Black

                                                            Co “G” 12 Pa. Cavalry

SOURCES