Camp of 126^th N.Y.Vols.

March 18^th '65

 

Dear Brother Edwin,

                                                                                                                        Yours of the 10^th ins't came to hand late last evening, & I assure you it was very heartily welcomed. I am very glad indeed to learn that you have at last succeeded (after so many daring attempts) in escaping from the enemy. I would like to see you very much & have a good visit with you, but it is impossible for me to get a furlough. I am confident of that without trying. I would not care for a furlough until my time is out were it / not for seeing you. I hope you are now home enjoying yourself as much as is possible for you under the circumstances. has the 85^th an organization at present, if so what Corps is it in. if it has & is any where near here, & if you rejoin your reg^t after your leaf of abscense has expired we must try & see each other. you will learn my exact address at home, it is 3^rd brigade, 1^st div. 2^nd A.C. and is at present about eight miles south of Petersburg. we are now under marching orders. the Sutlers have all gone to the rear. Gen. Meade has moved all his baggage to City Point, & an extensive & grand movement is very soon expected. you know how it is respecting marching orders, a man is liable to move with his house upon his back at any moment. I am well & have been quite well since I rejoined the reg^t. Our folks will perhaps give you a very good account of me for the last year / so I will omit it.

 

I am very thankful to you for your advice providing in regard to the propper course to persue if taken prisoner by the enemy. I never will be taken if I can possibly avoid it. it is enough for me to think of the privations, hardships, & exposure you have endured for the last year.

 

The moment I picked your letter up, the thought struck me at once that you had either escaped or been exchanged, it did not take me long to break the ceal, & greedily peruse its contents, I assure you. You must pardon me for not writing you while a prisoner, you changed your Head Quarters so often while in dixie it was very difficult for me to get your address. I assure you I meant well & will now try to make it up. Do you intend to resign if possible or are you anxious for more service. I think I know your answer, on more / service. if I mistake not, you would quit the service as soon as you can do it justly & honorably. I have only five months yet to serve & when my time is out, I assure you no amount of money would be any inducement to bind myself to US for one or three years more. I do not wish to convey the idea to you that I am sorry that I enlisted, to that I can say I am not & never will be. I love my country as much as any man, but I think three years is enough for any man to serve. How do you like the present aspect of affairs. they suit me exactly. I hope Sherman & Sheridan will keep the ball a rolling until they unite with Grant & roll it over the doomed Cities of Petersburg & Richmond. It seems that this desperate conflict must soon cease, but "oh"oh" how it will hurt the high spirits of southern brethren (if so they can be justly called) to abide by by the laws of our good Father Abraham. I would like very well to have a partial history of (when you can find time to give it) of your adventures in the Southern States, in trying to escape so many; also your experience of a prison life. I have some verses composed by some prisoners while at Richmond. I will send them to you—excuse me they are included in a package of old letters which I have quite recently sent home.

 

Again with hoping that you are at home & enjoying yourself among near & dear friends, I must close.

 

Give my respects to enquiring friends & write soon to

                                                                                    Your Affct & loving Brother Albert

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