Sept 7^th..63

Black River Miss Sept 7^th..63

 

            Dear and affectionate Ruth and children

I am well at present but my health not as good as was when last wrote O may these lines find you in reasonable health. well tis eleven oclock i was on picket quard last nite night and did not sleep much conciquently i went to sleep to night soon after going to bed, but i awoke with a troubled heart—O would to god i could injoy this life better i have just been dreaming that unpleasent dream again yes i was at home and how cold and indifferent i was received or permitted to enter your dwelling—god bless your pure soul and bodd yes may your days be happy ones on earth, and then meet those that has gone before in glory

 

            O if i could only been with you when you ware sick or could i suffer in your place yes i would so chearfuly and gladly been by your bedside to try to sooth your sorrow and pain but thanks to god and the lamb your precious life was spaired. o may we meet once a gain then i could discribe to the feelings that i have when dream that i am / doomed to a life of wo and dispair. Ruth dear Ruth tis for sin that i have done that i am chastised sin sin sin that dredful Ocean why came it in to the world, but god noes best what time we will be freed from sin

 

            Our camp is in a beautiful with the small timber out out and the ground is thoroughly policed and swept every morning how clean and nice it looks so shady some ajoining regments have meetings tis camp meeting shure enoug for our tents there. but how we differ at our meetings from yours up north we have no females we are men but thank god he meets with us O when will this cruel war fare over so us poor tired soldiers can go home that is the survivers O pray for me christians pray i feel to need the prayrs of your church yes pray in faith believeing and god will reward you well i will lay down and try to rest for i need sleep

good night dear family

                                                J G Scoville

to his sweet family that is far far away 

 

half past 4 oclock Sept 8^th 63

            well i slept so nicely and i feel more at rest O if i ware at home this morning i think that we would both injoy our selves far better but we must wait gods apointed time

 

            Philander you must go this winter yes thats eaven so for if the want of learning is all that has kept your farther from being some body in military rank and all through life so far ignorance has kept me down. yes if i had of been educated i mite of been in some business so as to of been well off before now but it is as it is. Phy i expect to farm if i live to get out of this war, or i may go at some thing elce but i rather think i will farm but you must be at school winters and study at home summers Princis and Silva and little Ruth must go to school to, ladies nead learning ful as much as gentleman therefore my daughters shall have at least a common country education What responcibility rests upon Mothers in the early rearing of there offspring comparitively few men duly consider this important subject 

 

Laura and John you mite write to me you dont have to be as busy as i do. i tell you a soldiers life is a active life yes tis an active life and a hard life but our country called for helpers and who posessing a union heart and noble spirit and feeling for there country could refuse to sholder the musket and off to to the scene of action i feel that i would ware my life a way if it was requsite in puting down this rebellion yes i could freely spair my last hearts blood, but duty calls me home and i am geting old therefore i will be satis to leave the grand army if i live when my time expires. Now my only ever respected Ruth pleas write ofton all though you mite hold up for a while for my furlo is being fixed out but it mite not be signed by General Sherman and then i would like to hear from you oftoner than heartofore live to god pleas dont work so much i will try to help you more pray for my safe return. o wou how ancious i am to at home again, yours truly

                                                                                                            John G Scoville

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