Vicksburg, Miss., December 16^th, 1864

 

Dear Cousin

                        I received your kind letter sometime ago. I was very glad to hear from you, and that you and ower Friends were well, excepting Sylvester who was at home wounded. I was in hops that he would go through this war without wounded, but it is hard to tell when one goes into a fight how he will come out. Ower boys here will shake themselves after a fight, to see if they are wounded, and then count the ball holes in their clothing. And then it does one Soul good / to hear the boys brag how near they came being hit. I received a letter from Mother a few days ago. She wrote that you had been there and that she had a first rate viset from you. I wish I had been at home to see you. did you see Theodore he was wounded on the same day of October, that Sylvester was. Thoes two Cousins will be heros heroes in the eyes of their Grand children, if they have eny. I do not think that you ever will make your Brother an Uncle so that he can tell his war storys to your children. What do you think about it. Mother wrote me that Grandmother was very unwell. I was very sorry to hear it. I want to see her once more. I remember how she used to look years ago, and all of her kindness to the young folks of / the village. You must have been very tired in hering Polliticks talked all the time in that Store. I remember a longe time ago that Forbs Store was a grate place to talk polliticks. Will you be or will you remain in the Store another year. Now Harret you must send me yous and Mary Rice Photograph. I want to see how you look. I will show yours to my Dutchman that I want you to make my Cousin and Marys. I will not show to eny one, but keep it for myself. Now I want you to send them by your next letter. I would write Mary a letter if I thought she would answer it. then you know that I am a poor writer, and it would be one more letter. My dutys here as one of the Provost Guard are / very light. it is the best duty that I have been on since I have been in the Army. The people are given us invites to entertainments almost evry day I have been to only one house yet. I have an invite to a ball on an a Gun Boat to come of next week. I will be on duty that day and can not go. My health is good

 

Give my recepts to all ower Friends, and Love to Mary Rice

 

Write me Soon

            I remain your Cousin

                        Warren F Dodge

                        Lt. A. Co. 124^th Ill Infty Vol

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