Thursday evening the 16^th/65                                     Nannie Warren, Dear Wife

Again I am seated to scribble you a line notwithstanding no letter has come yet. it is not your fault I know for I know you are to good and to kind to neglect writeing your soldier a letter to cheer his lonely hours while far away from home and those he loves so dearly and especially Nannie who for many years has been the best friend I ever had except a Mother who has long since gone to rest—

 

What ever may be my hardships, or the exposure, or hard fare, I shall allow the bright hope before me of falling into your arms, and enbraceing one I love so dearly to cheer and charm all my weary hours, and keep me hopeful and inspire with the consolation of once again embraceing loved ones at home. My duty to my country called me from home But soon my term of service will expire and with it my duty, as I will have served 3 years, and I intend to spend the remainder of my Life (be it long or short) to happify those who are more than life to me. My duty to you have kept me from going astray though temptations have been many. Nan! you have no Idea how many things are thrown in the soldiers way, especially one who looks pretty well—for it is supposed that a soldier will do almost every thing our rations here are very short. 18 ounces of bread for a day is not enough, especially where there is no fruit nor vegetables We get half rations of coffee and sugar. very seldom we get beans or rice. no potatoes or anything of the kind /

 

Now Nan you must not conclude that we are starveing We are hungry all the time, yet we are all getting fat. you know that a horse will fatten better if you feed him just enough and keep him a little hungry. Uncle sam intends we shall get fat, but I would love to have the scraps of cold bread that are thrown away all over the north. but some day I will get to come and get some Scraps I Hope—most of the men are sending home for boxes of provisions but I cannot do that for I expect you have none to spare so I will not send. then the express would cost so much. we will not eat so much when the weather gets warm. I must soon close for it is ten Oclock, and I feel sleepy. I may dream of home and loved ones there

 

O! Yes. did you get your money. I hope you have—Bro Rock at Louisville started a small box to me the 25^th of last month with some paper, envelopes, tobacco, cigars &c which he wrote me was his part of paying for whipping Hood at Nashville, but it has not come to hand yet. I wish it would for I am out of every thing of the kind. have no stamps, and may have to send this letter without paying the postage—Well I must bid you Good night and pray God that you all may be kept safe in his hands. Dearest ones, Good Night—

                                                                                                                        LC.W—

 

you will have to look sharp to read this

SOURCES