Harpers Ferry V^a Feb 28^th 1864

 

Dearest Aunt.

                        Many many thanks for your kindest and more than welcome letter of the 22^nd inst which I very eagerly and joyfully received in this evenings post. You can hardly realize how good it seems to hear from Home and to know that all the dear friends are in possession of good health and I trust good spirits. I have been longing for a letter from Aunt Melissa for several days but I knew she had some good excuse for not writing or she would favor me with a few lines at least. The hours at best are rather dreary and monotonous when in Camp and a good letter from a known and tried friend has a tendency to shorten the time in calling forth pleasant reccollections and thereby dispelling the gloom with / which we are surrounded.

 

We are having some splendid weather here and I cannot help but enjoy it much as I am hearty and healthy and as happy as the circumstances under which I am situated will permit. The winter has been very mild so far with scarcely any snow and but little cold weather. Spring is now almost upon us and soon I suppose we may look for the begining of some active operations here in the field and I sincerely hope and pray that they may be crowned with victory and peace once again reign undisturbed as in bygone days. And truly our cause never seemed more bright and ultimate success more sure than at the present time. Now I will write a little about myself I am at present in command of two companys which have been consolidated with ours / and their Officers having reenlisted and gone Home. It places me in a very responsible position and I have a good deal of writing to do. I have been very busy for the past two days in making out the Muster Rolls. Tomorrow I have got to make out the Monthly Returns and send them away. I have heard today that the draft was again postponed and I think it a good thing for there are many renlisting and volunteering daily and I have hard work to resist the temptation myself as I see so many of my brave and tried comrades going away and leaving me as it were behind to deliberate and decide wheter I have the heart to do my duty or not. But there is some consolation in knowing (if I do not find myself by renewed obligations for the the future) I have / done my duty in the past and have as far as I have been able carried out the purpose for which I enlisted.

 

Now I wish you would ask Uncle to write me a letter It would do me so much good. Ask him to tell me about his work and every thing which interests him. I need hardly ask you to write for I know you will Dear Aunt and by so doing you will very much gratify me. Please give my best respects to Cousin John and Sarah also to Uncle and other friends and accept the earnest love of your Affectionate

 

                                                Nephew

                                                            Alfred "C" Woods

 

P.S.

            Address as usual

 

[margin, another hand: John C. Burdick & wife Sarah Jane]

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