Camp near Camden Arks

June 25^th 1864

 

Dear Mary

                        I had written you a letter and upon turning it over found I had spoiled a Roster for the Adjutant supposing it to be blank paper. So I have commenced again. I was very much delighted to receive yours & Pa's letters sent by Mr. Thibault, as it was the first I had rec^d since I left Texas. I wrote to Pa some days ago enclosing letters from Aunt Henrietta & Josie English, but the gentleman who was to take it to Jefferson will not leave until to morrow having been delayed. We moved to this Camp last Wednesday, all hoping we would not stop until we reached Arks river but here we are and I would be glad to be twenty instead of seven miles from Camden. It is a very dull, miserable place. When we will move from here is very uncertain. We have news to day that Grant has crossed to the South bank of the James river and attacked Petersburg.This has caused some to be very gloomy and despondent, but there is as yet no reason for it. Grant might have attained this position by coming up James river without the loss of a man, but he selected the other route as the point of attack and now after a loss of 75,000 men he abandons the attack upon Richmond and strives to flank it. This shows that this movement is a dernier resort. / Lee will prove more than a match for him here as he has already done on the north side of the river. Not a word from Johnston, in fact all eyes are turned to Va.

 

I was glad to hear that the season had been so favourable in Texas. We have had a great deal of rain here, and the crops look very fine. Every time it rained I wondered if it was raining in Douglassville. How I have wished for some of that ice during the hot days of the last week! I heard to day that Hammy is in Camden but I have not seen him yet. Genl Tappan saw him and he promised to come out to camp to morrow. Mr Thibault stopped in Camden as Col Shaver's Regt is there doing Post duty. I will see him in a few days. You must tell Virginia she must be careful about riding runaway horses, as I cant spare her yet. I am very glad to hear that Selina is able to run in the yard and get sunburned. I expect she and Ned will both be so large that I will not know them. My horses are both in fine order, ready now for another campaign.

 

Give my love to all. Tell the children I will write to them soon, and that they must be ssure to answer it. Write me as often you can it is very dull here, and I all I have to interest me is the King and hearing from those I love. Tell Ma she must prepare to make me some shirts, as mine will all soon be worn out.

 

Yr affectionate brother

Jo

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