New Berne N.C.

May 11^th 1864

 

Dear Father,

                        Your letter announcing that Sallie hadn't come home, and that Edwin was sick, and the subsequent one to effect that Sallie had come home, and Edwin wasn't sick have both been received. I am glad for your sake that Sallie has returned, and for the sake of us all that Edwin is getting better. If Mr. B. has my experience he will find that he is a good while getting entirely well and strong. As Tufts used to say—"it takes a good while to finish a shoe after it's done". We have been / roasting here for a week. The mercury keeps steadily along at 100^o and there is little or no breeze stirring. I tremble when I think of the possibility of our being here next summer. It will be fearful. I got the letter from Mr Pierce to his sister in Mobile and forwarded it. It was my last official act in Washington. I got a letter yesterday from my rebel friend Dewey. He thanked me for my kindness &c but was sorry to know I was among his would-be subjugators. He requested me to write again, but said he felt enmity towards us all. Would I please find out about a sweetheart of his in Conn—and if we both survived this war he would not shake hands / with me. I think I shall let that acquaintance drop. It has taught me that the Butchers and Devils against whom we are fighting are unable to appreciate kindness or forgiveness, and I shall take the utmost delight at some future day in calling the attention of this and other chivalrous gentlemen of the South, to the fact that we are not altogether would-be subjugators. May I live to see one of two things, viz the utter, complete & enslaving subjugation of the South, or their equally complete annihilation. A race of people such as they have proved themselves to be, are not fit to inhabit God's beautiful world. They must have Masters, or sink their race in dishonorable oblivion. This war has, within the / past two months become simply and eminently a struggle between Civilization & Barbarism, Christianity and Heathenism, Light & Darkness Liberty & Tyranny—God & Satan. Who is more likely to conquer? If you at home shudder at the barbarities which the enemy has lately practicised upon our troops, can you imagine what the feelings of our army are—of men who every day are in a fair way to be cut up, burnt & burried alive? God will avenge us. I am more hopeful than ever. Grant is this moment doing the work. Heaven speed him. With much love to all at home

 

I remain

                                    Yr aff son

                                                Charlie.

SOURCES