Batalion, 40^th N.Y.V.

                                                                                                near Brandy Station, Va

                                                                                                            Febuary 2^nd/64

 

My Dear Sister,

                        I now commence to write a line to you but I expect to be called out for to go on guard before I will rite very mutch, but I will write and send it to day at all hazards. I received the one that you sent, and the diamond, and also the Christian, witch I was glad to receive. I wish that you would send them out every month, to me, and I will make it all right. the diamond was very good. I take the too maroco ones, but I think that I will keep them all. I was out on picket wen I received them from you. we was releived yesterday, and come in to camp. it is about seven miles out there were from camp. I have been out on guard since I commenced to write this. /

 

You will find in this note a verse. wen you rite I want you to tell me what you think of it, and also on the other side of this he sheat you will find something Else. I would like your opinion on that also. the letter that father rote has not yet arived. I received one from rachel at the same time that I did yours, and she told me how that great weding was got up and so forth, so I think that I am the only one that is slited at all, for she might of known that I could not come, but if she invited you all why she whou would have had a house full. I must close, so no more at presant. my love to you all.

 

                                                            Direct

                                                I remain your Brother

Direct as                                              Wilson Sproul

            follows                                                Batalion, 40^th N.Y.V.Co. G.

write soon                                                                   1^st Division, 3^rd Corpse

as received                                                                  Washington D.C

and oblige

            W.S. /

 

Keep the Soldiers letters.

 

Father, Mother, Brother, Sister,

Keep that bundle sacredly! each word will be historic, each line invaluable, wen peace has restored the ravages of war, and our nations granadier has made this struggle the most memorable of these great conflicts by which ideas are rooted into society.

 

These pen pictures, of the humblest events, the mearest rotine details of the life led in winning nashional unity and freedom, will be priceless. not for the historians sake only, do I say keep those letters, but for your sakes who receive them, and ours who write them. The next skirmish may stop our pulses forever and our letters full of love for you. / They will be our only legacy beside that of haveing died in a noble cause, and should we survive the war with health and limb, uninjured, or bowed with sickness or crippled with wounds, those letters will be dear mementoes to us of dangers past, of trials born, of privations suffered, of comrades beloved. Keep our letters then, and write to us, all the home news and gossip. bid us god speed—speak kindly, loveing, courageings  words to us. if you cant be spartans, and we dont want to be, be “lovers, countrymen, and friends.” So shall our feet fall lighter and our sabres heavier.

 

                                    W. S.

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