Fort Reno Nov 6th 1864
Dear Sister Julia,
Yours of the 29th ult came to hand several days ago, and is as yet unanswered, but, I think my reasons this time are quite sufficient for not replying sooner. the reason I did not answer sooner is I have been ep expecting a furlough for over a week to go home to vote, but that expectation is now blasted so I have concluded to write you. You said in your letter that you were expecting either / Father or Mother up there to see you and if they didn't come you should avail yourself of the pleasure of spending a few days at home, & what is more you asked me if I would accompany you home on said visit. I have been thinking all the last week that I should be able to except that offer soon, but no I cannot do so, which I am sorry to say, for if I had my just due I would now be on my way home on furlough, for an order has been issued here that we should all have furlough to go home to vote, and at the present time their are here at Head Quarters over two hundred blank furloughs which should be made out and given to the boys here. by somebody's negligence we have, or will not get them. A letter from home quite recently informed me that Edwin was paroled and was at Fortress Monroe if that is the case, I think he will soon / be home if I had my voting furlough I might accidentally have the pleasure of meeting him at home but I do not feel slighted for I have been quite lucky this summer in getting permits to visit "home" sweet "home", as home is a home if it is ever so homely as the old saying is, "aye" &c I begin to think that saying is true If I get home safe again I can assure you I will not sacrifice myself (and home enjoyments) for another three years, that I know of, would you. I dont think you would, for a term at College is just about enough to make you homesick. I am very glad to learn that you are enjoying yourself so well at present I would like to of been present the evening you all had such a nice time at the College. go it it while you are young. life is short and fleeting, in a few short years such enjoyments will be at an end. You spoke of a mass meeting occurring / at E. last week, the discription of which was simular to the one that took place at Buffalo, the one I attended I mean, but no Ladies rode on horse back at Buffalo. I havent seen three papers from N.Y.S. since I left Rochester, so how could I hear of the mass meeting. I would like to see a paper from E. once in a while I think I will tell Miss Lottie to send me a Rural or Tribune once in a while, for reading is very scarce here. I do not see the daily papers quarter of the time, because they are not brought here. I suppose you think we are so close the Capitol that we have a good chance to know all that is going on, but we do not get half as much news here as we would if we was home.
Please tell Miss Maggie I have looked long & anxiously but all in vain. never mind sometimes I pay people off in their coin. Have you heard from G. yet. I have "hem "hem Julia this was written in haste so you must excuse mistakes & write soon to
Your loving brother
Julia A. Peirson Albert
Boughton