Little Rock, Ark

Feb. 27^th 1864

 

Friend Gabe.

                                    It is and always has been a source of pleasure to me to write letters to and receive letters from those whom I consider my friends, therefore the appearance of a very interesting letter from you which came to hand late night before last was received with pleasure and the contents thereof read with delight.

I am glad to know that you and the young folks in general are enjoying yourselves as well as you are. You say there is no end to the weddings around there. Well I suppose that is all well enough but for the present I think the young men might be better employed if they would shoulder a gun go in to the army and help to fill the long ranks of those who have gone before them to risk their lives in the defense of our noble government under whose parental care we have so long been protected from dangers and violence For my part I should feel very much like a condemned criminal if I were to withhold a helping hand now to the government and my Country in this her hour of trial and difficulty I do not pretend to say that all can or ought to come for I know such a thing would be absolutely out of the question. There must some remain at home to care for the helpless ones at home and to raise something for the support of the army in the field. In this case let those come who are least entrameled with the perplexing cares of domestic affairs, in other words let the young men come who have no one to care for but themselves. Some may object to this mode of proceeding on the grounds that they have—well must I say it, lovers whom it would be so hard indeed to part with, but I say / shame on the man who would let such a trivial excuse unnerve him for one of the most noble duties which it ever fell to the lot of man to perform And shame on the young lady (if I may so call her) who would not take her lover by the hand and tell him in Gods name go and do battle for right and liberty and prove by his action that he is worthy the love and esteem of the fair one whose favors and affections he so much covets and desires.

 

Let those marry who are not willing to fight for their country, but surely you would not wish to place your happiness in their keeping You surely have friends and acquaintances who are now in the army bravely bearing the fatigues and hardships of a campaign life that the rights of the government may be maintained and perpetuated. Some of them will doubtless someday return then it would be much better to chose one from among the number on whom to bestow your affections than it would be to choose one of those timid, chicken-hearted individuals who are afraid to go beyond hen scratch of home for fear of getting hurt. I have one sister yet who is not married and as much as I always hated old maids, I would rather she would live and die one than to see her wedded to anyone else than a Soldier But I rather think I have said enough on that subject and have perhaps gone on beyond the bounds of good reason be that as it may they are the true sentiments of my heart. But to something else. The weather is and has been for several weeks just as nice as one could possibly wish for. The days are clear mild and pleasant the soft moanings of the gentle breeze as it slowly fans its way past us, the gay, cheerful songs of the birds, and the soft green coat of young grass which is now / rapidly covering the ground are all evident tokens that the winter which to me has appeared like almost no winter at all, is gone and is replaced by the more beautiful, soft gentle days of spring. This season of the year always reminds me of my boyhood days, with this exception. Spring greets us with its pleasant days and refreshing breezes once every year, but not so with our youth. We can enjoy but one season of that and it is then gone from us forever. Often and often did I in my boyhood days think over and lay plans for the future, my spirits buoyant with hope and often have I in the vain hope of future pleasure and happiness, wished that my days were not so slow in passing, that my hopes and joys would soon be realized to their fullest extent. But as time wore away I often found that alas, my joys were only imaginary and could never be realized. But as we can best profit by past experience I have come to the conclusion to suit my own wants and necessities to the circumstances which surround me at all times. Enough of this also.

 

I think the 29^th Iowa must surely be a drilling regt by this time for we have to drill twice a day all the time Drill. Drill. Drill. day after day, week after week as regularly as the days come and go do we have to appear out on our old and familiar drill ground for practice I have become so use to it that every foot of it as familiar to me as the countenances of my most intimate friends. Well friend I do not know of any thing more to write this time so hoping this may find you enjoying as good health as I am while writing it and that I may have the pleasure of often hearing from you I will close for this time. Friend Good by for the the present

Geo. Campbell

 

Mrs Conarroe                                                                          

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