Fort Reno DC. July 8^th 1863.

 

My Dear Friend,

                                    Your letter dated the 4^th ins^t was received this afternoon. I guess you had thought that I had forgotten to answer your letter but I had not for I mailed an answer to your last yesterday. I must say that you are the right kind of a correspondent for a Soldier to have. You are not so particular as some, but you write a second letter to the Soldier. It is my determination to answer every letter I get but sometimes I can not do it just at the time I want to. I think I have solved the enigma you sent /

 

“Independence Forever”

1 Ice is unpleasant.

2 Need is to be in want.

3 Dove is a bird.

4 Eden is a celebrated garden.

5 Prince is a royal personage.

6 Eri is a mans name. (Isnt it)

7 Nero was a wicked man.

8 Deer is a wild animal.

9 Eve is a ladys name.

10 Neice is of the feminine gender.

11 Cove is a small body of water.

12 Epic is a class of poetry.

13 Foe is an adversary.

14 Odd is this year.

15 Reno is the Gen^l slain.

16 Erie is the town in Pa.

17 Venice is the City in Southern Europe.

18 Err is what we should be careful not to do.

19 Rove is what some love to do.

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I have’nt found time to solve the one you sent to me in one of your other letters… /

 

We have cheering news from all of our armies…Vicksburg was surrendered on the 4^th the day you wrote your letter…Rosencran is crowding Bragg and his army. The “Army of the Potomac” is doing nobly under their new commander. I guess they like him. any General that does his best to put rebellion down so we can go home is popular in the army…To day we have news of a victory gained by Prentiss and his army over Price and Holmes. May we not pray and hope that the rebellion will be put down We are in good spirits now, a ray of light shines through the cloud that hangs over Our Country…We have plenty rain here now it has rained every day for about two weeks. The rain helps our army, and hinders the rebels… /

 

I am well…and remain Your Friend  Stephen R Whitney

 

PS I must go and milk excuse this short letter…I mailed five letters yesterday…So you can judge how I have to do to keep up with my correspondents…Soldier’s can not get furloughs now … except they are disabled…S.R.W.

 

PS again

            Thursday Morning July 9^th

It cleared off last this morning the sun came up smiling it is shining bright and beautiful now. We have received the news this morning that Port Hudson is taken. I feel thankful to God that He in His mercy is crowning Our arms with victory. Oh how humble and grateful we ought to be…The movements of our Armies for the last few days have been crowned with success at every point…May it Continue…

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