(Wednesday)                                                               Camp 8^th Va Regt. Feby 1^st 65

 

My Dear

                        To day two weeks I left you all, since which time I have written you three letters and sent you two papers the last I forwarded Monday by Lieut. Adams having a good opportunity now by M^r Dawson of this Regt. who passes through Salem. I thought I would drop you a line tho. I have nothing of importance to write about, more than to say that all is quiet here, and that I am tolerably well, but that I have not yet received a line from home. I daily look for a letter but am daily disappointed. I feel now just as anxious to see you all as I did in Dec^r, but as there is no hope for such an event, my mind has settled down to quiet contentment. Dick and myself last night both concluded that we were quite reconciled, tho. it is very hard to be separated from those that are dearer to us than all the world beside. but I feel that I am but discharging my duty to my country and this thought reconciles and quiets me /

 

I have frequently thought about the little feud which arose just before we last parted, and have regretted much the wounding of your feelings, wherein you think I was wrong. I ask your forgiveness, but I cannot see it in a light that makes me in the wrong, only that possibly I may have been too hasty with the exception of that and my being unwell my trip home was most delightful to me.

 

If M^r Saunders has not yet come to Charlottesville, I think you had better let him bring 12 gals. Varnish, the white Lead and the hides & leave them at Smiths, if they cannot be sold. I shall write to Smith about them to-morrow as well as the Cottons & Card Rogers is at home—I hope he will return by Salem. fix up my Buck gloves and send them to me, and tell someone to call at Eckloffs for my Canteen of Molasses I send you three late papers—our papers are breathing the right spirit, prepare for the worst, tho. peace may be right at our doors

 

Rev. D^r Burroughs is now lecturing thro. this division, with some good effect, I think, tho there are many who say they are tired of the War and cry out for peace on any terms tell Miss Mary! Right I gave her Cake to M^r Blackwell—M^r Ware wanted to know if she did not send some to him. M^r Blackwell sent M^rs Massie’s letter to M^r Grandberry—M^r Grandberry preached at our Chapel Sunday night but I was on Picket—he called to see me on Monday, but I had not returned. he left word he would call to see me soon. he left a letter for me to forward, which I do with this. keep letters on hand for me. Many are now getting furloughs and going home— 

 

[abrupt change of thought, perhaps a leaf missing]

 

And Fannie must hug and kiss her Mamma every night for her Papa. she must be a good girl and learn her letters by the time I come home. Gracie cannot understand me but Ma must kiss her every day for me and learn her to say Papa. Finally my dear Children I want you every morning and night to bow before your heavenly Father and unite with me in supplications at the throne of Heavenly grace, that God will help you all to grow up in his love and fear, and enable you to live so in this life, that you shall be admitted into those heavenly Mansions above, and be received into his glorious service in the eternal world, and let us all pray for each other, that God will in his great Mercy bring this war to a close, and let us all once more sit around our fireside, each one better prepared to discharge his duty of Father, Mother, Son and Daughter—

 

My dear Children I must say farewell to you all, but you are daily in my thoughts, and I daily beg My Heavenly Father to take care of you and guide you and preserve you from the Evil One, who is ever seeking to make you to sin, which will make you miserable and which if not repented of turned from, will in the other world cause you to to be separated from the pure & holy and make you live with Devils /

 

I will say a few more words to my dear wife She must write something every day so that whenever an opportunity offers, she will have a letter ready. See that Ernest Annie & James write also every week. it will be very gratifying to me and improving to them in penmanship and composition—

 

Have you sent my letter to Amanda Halley and gotten the 350$ for Heze? if not do so as soon as you can, do not make any bargain with M^rs Strothers about the horse, should the war close and I be enabled to get home by spring, I want to cultivate a crop

 

I have still a good supply of Bread Meat & Coffee on hand, so I shall not be reduced to Camp rations for some days. I am much in hopes that M^r Saunders went to Charlottesville this week so that you can get the Cotton yarn, if you can sell some for 6$ in gold I would do so the balance you can trade for what you want to use or to sell—Candles sell here for 4$ apiece Soda 15$ lb potatoes for $1.50 a qt—My dear be firm and positive in the government of your Children Make them obey your orders and that promptly. I pray God to help you and strengthen you for the discharge of your manifold duties, and enable you to look up to him in the hour of trial. Your own Augustus /

 

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I shall have frequent opportunities of writing to you your own            Augustus

SOURCES