Camp 12. Penna. Cavalry—

                                                                                                Charlestown, Va.

                                                                                                            March. 15. 1865.

 

            My Dear Wife:

                                    A pleasant evening to you. It was my good fortune about twilight this evening to have handed to me your very cheerful & valuable letter of the 10^th Inst. It was read with respect & love as only yours are read by me. And it shall be my privilege & pleasure as well as duty to respond to it ere I retire this night. I am delighted to learn that good health is yours & the folks at home and in return I give you the same information in regard to myself. I am getting along very well, have no reason to complain of anything but that I did not get my leave. You & I will have to put up with the disappointment though it be not very agreeable. I live in hopes that the war is fast drawing to a close & then I trust that I will be among the number to return home safe & sound. It will then be you & I who will rejoice, and live together happily & not quarrel— /

 

That town of yours appears to be quite a place for the men & women to quarrel & fight. I cannot imagine what possesses them to quarrel so much. I trust you & I will live to set them an example how man & wife should live.

 

I was pleased to hear that you were out at home. I received a letter from Sister Annie written while you were there. Oh! but I would have liked to have been on hand then, but here I am a soldier and can only leave when authorities permit, and that you are aware is not very frequent.

 

Mr. Neper (formerly Sarah M^cCloskey) is doing quite fine, according to your report. Go in is all I say for them, when they are right why they should go ahead.

 

            I am sorry to hear that Walters have not heard anything from Jacob. I fear he has met the fate of many others that were confined in rebeldom. Poor fellows if it is so. I trust & hope that he will yet be heard from, when the rest of the prisoners arrive. /

 

Another man of Company “G” was sent to his long home. On last week a few of our scouts were out on a tour and came across a few rebels, had a brisk fight, resulted in killing one man (James E. M^cHugh) Co “G” and wounding one of Co. “M” & capturing two others. Our boys wounded six of them

 

            News from all the Departments of our Army is very encouraging. It causes the Soldiers to be jubilant & gleeful.

 

Remember me kindly to mother & Aunt My ever true, devoted & undivided Love to you My Dear Wife—

 

                        While my name to this as

                                    Your ever true devoted &

                                                            Affectionate

                                                                        Husband

                                                John H. Black

                                                1^st Lieut. Co “G” 12. Pa. Cav

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