Fort Vance

Camp 96^th Regiment Ohio Volunteer

Infantry Decrows Point Texas

Feb 13^th 1864

 

                                                                                                Dear Parents

My time is unemployed the present and thought I would improve it in answering your kind letter of the 25^th last month. it came through in sixteen days and truly afforded much pleasure I am in excellent health and fine spirits was glad to hear the same of you. the duty is tolerable heavy now as we are building a fort and thare onley being one Regiment at this place makes the picketing heavy also. Our protracted meeting has closed for the present Last evening finished it the Chaplain would of continued but the evenings are so cold that tis quite unpleasant to stay. I am glad to hear you talk so favorable in regard to the war I hope that your anticipations will come out true for with you I think myself their would be a joyful time I understand that the 20^th Ohio Regiment has reinlisted. in your next tell me whether William and Joseph Phillips have reinlisted or not I think if they would give the 96 a chance they would go in heavy on it But we cant enlist untill we have been two years the Boys says then they can come it over the 96 and if the want us now is the time and the accepted time. I hardly know what to write for tis been so recently that I did write I will say though that your letter suited me exactly. I think more of your letters than any person corresponding I like to hear of any and every thing / that transpires and all about the markets the young folks &c Dinner is prety near ready Suppose I tell you what we are going to have for it will not take me long to do it. Bean-Soop and crackers & coffee this makes a prety good dinner but I would much rather eat with Father & Mother I think I would enjoy one more meal of victuals prety well. the prospect looks dim from where I am sitting to get home untill my three years have expired and God knows whether I shall ever be permitted to come or not. Many conjectures that we are going back to New Orleans and from there to Mobile if this be the fact I think before we get Mobile that our term of service will be expired for most likely we will have to seige the place I am glad to hear that Frank Harris arrived home safe also Welsey Taylor you did not say any thing about my boots whether you have sent them or not I hope you have if not send them immeadilly for I stand in need of them the paymaster has not visited us for nearly four months the last of this month will make four. I dont think their is much prospect either for my part its immaterial for I expect if I had it I would spend it I trust that you do not forget me in your prayers I feel thankful that I am blessed with a praying Father & Mother the soldiers at a meeting the other evening was telling of their good fathers & mothers and how they had been led by them Oh how thankful I felt when I could arise and tell them that I had Christian Parents it made me feel good. But I must close for my paper is growing short. I trust that you will always fill your promises. Let me hear from you soon. I am your Son, William H. Scarbrough

 

            Direct the same Co B 96 OVI                                                 James & Elisabeth

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