Cape Fear N.C. Feb 11^th 1865.

 

Dearest Ina,

                        I would be very lonsom almost to endurableness if it was not for the privilidge of sending and recieveing letters. I wrote yesterday cant send it now. Yesterday was ration day and at dusk I was notified to draw rations. I detaled 10 men and started. were obliged to go to the extreme south end of the Cape, passed through Fort Fisher. In traveling over the ground and packing rations through the sand I concluded it is 3 miles what think you. 2 men pack 81 lbs pork and 3 men 65 lb crackers 3 miles. well I guess you think pretty turf. We would have had them drawn this morning with teams but all the force were orderd to have 3 days / rations and be ready to march at 8 Oclock this morning. I went to bed late, slept very well only dreaming that I was home and you would have nothing to do with me and gave me no reasons. I was glad when I awoke but I felt so bad in my sleep that it plaged me after I awoke. thank fortion that dreams ar not realities although some come to pas am willing that some of mine should prove true. Ide be at home some of those nights before you would be aware of it. There is some enjoyment in antisipation. The whole force moved to the front and left most of their tents standing I was left in our camp It is after noon 54 prisonors have already passed within a few feet of my tent. The gun boats on the Coast have been very buisy throwing Parrotts eggs the size of a peck meashure / among the Johnies while one Moniter and 2 or 3 wood ships have been sending peace messingers in a fort on the west side of the River 2 miles above. Our men have advanced a considerable I think by the fireing. I have herd some very heavy guns which sounded like distant thundre in the direction of Wilmington. Our fleet dose not advance very near the fort on the River. it is about 15 miles from the Fort just spoken of to Wilmington. I understand the mail came in last evening welcome hope poor me will get a letter.

Sabbath. And just after dinner. No letters yet. The advance of the army which ar mostly Negroes advanced and drove the Rebels 3 miles yesterday I believe they took 2 line of works and a small fort of 2 guns. [line cut off] 

 

advanced ½ mile from this camp where I am Walter J Bolton W. Barton and H Slick ar with me today. W^m Benson and Stephen Maumeny ar at the Hospital on the Cape. Maumeny is very bad. Quite a nomber of the 112^th ar sick, have been to much exposed the past month Well I dreamed last night that I, yes poor I, was home on a furlough, and Oh the kisses I got. You was enjoying yourself with me I dont know why I dream so much of home, but then why should I not dream I think as much of and about you now as I did when your name did not have the [?] in, and not having the privilidge of seeing you, I wander far from my present abode And our little ones have a strong hold on my affection. Dear Ina, I believe that I hate to do wrong nevertheless I ignorantly blunder in wrong expressions, as is the case of the one I am about to refer to the longer I put it off the worse it seems to me If it was my own feeling hurt I could bare it, but I do regard yours the sircumstances ar like these. you wrote me soon after W^m Dingman was maried of the fact and sed that she must be fond of taking care of children or somthing like it your expressions were perfectly right. man and wife ought to be free on any subject, but I sed I think now whose buisines is it if they ar satisfied others ought to be. I fear that your feelings were hurt. I fear that you took it differant than what I intended. your statement was not wrong. I well reccollect the thoughts that occurred to my mind, which was like this if they were satisfied others ought not complain or covet their happyness I did not think you did. I do hope you did not take it as I fear you did for which I am to blame. I hope you will [lines cut off]

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