Feb 5^th 1864

 

Dear sister,

                        Just as I sat down with my paper and ink to write you a few lines I heard my name called at the door, and what do you think it was for, there was two letters for me, this one and one from Alex. I received one from Mary yesterday. I am glad to hear that mother is improveing and hope she will not take a backset. but am sorry to hear that alex is unwell, and hope it will not amount to much.

 

I wrote a letter last week stateing that we were going to march, that was the order, and we held ourselves in readiness from that time untill last wendesday at about noon to march at any moment, when the order was countermanded and the prospect is that / we will stay here some time yet. We had all of the clothes that we did not want to carry packed in boxes and stored away in Nashville so that we could send for them at any time we wanted them, and we turned over our nice wall tents, and drew shelter (or pup) tents as the boys call them for they look more like little houses for dogs than men. they are made out of lite muslin with buttons and button holes sewed on them so we can fasten them togather and make a large tent if we choose. each man gets a piece about 5½ feet square, and has to carry it with him on a march. you may send me that box now if you will, for I think we will stay here untill it will have time to come. if you can pack in some catsup so the bottle will not break you may send me some of it, and another thing that is some writeing paper and envelopes. you may send me two quieres of good smooth letter paper and a package of buff (or yellow) envelopes. that will be all I want. alex wanted to know whether John had reenlisted or not if he is not home yet to see him tell alex that he has reenlisted. Ben Jeffery wants me to get some things in my box for him. he said that if you had a box ready packed for me, to take it to william Lewis store and if there was any thing there for him to let Lewis pack it in another box large enough for both and if there is nothing there just nail up my box and send it on without waiting for him. I think milton felt rather flat after geting throwed twice. tell alvin I want him to be carefull and not let fan throw him. alvin is doing so well that I guess i had better stay away, but I dont think that I will stay longer than about eightteen months more. I would like to know who it is that is paying so much attention to you they say somebody is. and who is it that alvin is going to see. dont say anything to uncle about me asking you this for i might raise the dander among some of you. they said some one was writing to you. how often does ross Combs come to see ann. well this half sheet is almost full so i will close give my love to mother tell her that I am trying to improve my ways rather than run them on the downward road. No more this time. From your Brother.

 

W^m H Bone to E. J. Bone.      Good by.         write soon.

SOURCES