4
Camp near
Fredericksburg, VA
January 8th
- 1862
My Dear Wife –
Your
letter of Dec. 31st was received last night & would have reached
me sooner but that our Regiment was on Picket & did not come in until then
– I fear that mother’s health is not good from what you say & darling I
expect you too are grieving about me – You & Ma must not give way in this
way I’m doing as well as I could wish to do in the army & I feel cheerful,
hopeful, & full of spirit – As to my enemies at home, I scorn them, that
is, the efforts they are making to injur me & predict that it will all
recoil on their own heads – I enclose some papers showing me clear of all their
charges – Their aspersions are as vile as they are false & are prompted by
the evilest of motives – in relation to my clothes! Wait a while dear as I may get home before
the middle of Feby & I can do verry well until that time. The old underclothes I had on are serving me
verry well yet – As to Tom the boy I prefered - him because Sam is awkward
& no part of a cook but I reckon I can make out with him so if Tom does not
want to come you can bring Sam with you when you come. I will notify you when to come if I can’t get
off – Upon the whole I reckon Sam would do as well & you can make up your
mind about it to bring him if I can’t come home – You can always direct your
letters to Richmond & I will have them forwarded to me wherever I may be –
I rec’d your letter thro Alexander and generally get your letters but
complained in my last because I had none from you for two or three weeks. This however was owing to the fact that you
were looking for me home – In regard to the substitute I hardly know what to
say – I am fighting for glory & honor & respect & reports Darling
(can’t read) (can’t read) much, but, ambition is in me as big as a mule – I
want a Regiment & if ever I get one I will distinguish my self or get
killed. If I remain where I am my
chances to command this Regiment in the course of a few month is verry good –
Now don’t misunderstand me as meaning that I love you less than ambition or
ought else in the world, but on the other hand if my exceptional love for you
for son & for my ancestors that I am so ambitious of distinction. And then the cause! None on earth ever had clustered around if so
many motives so many noble incentives to action – Already the South is covered
with glory & shall I share none of it?
Humble as it is, darling I believe I have already reaped some little I
had rather live & enjoy your love & society! This is my greatest wish but, may be I can
add a little glory to take along. I have
five hundred dolls & if I can’t come will send it to you – I want most of
it turned over Sherwood for to pay the balance (can’t read) (can’t read) then
fund – When I come home I will let you all know about the substitute – The
papers I send you will turn over to Judge Palmer & tell him to make such
use of them as he thinks fit – We are camped in a thick pine wood & I have
a good tent & stove & am very comfortable. Give my love to all & Kiss my son &
accept all my heart.
Your
loving husband
Fes
January 9th
(can’t read) 7o’clock a.m.
I add a line this morning because
it is a day later news from me, but I have nothing to add by way of news – It
was a little snowy last night but none is on the ground this morning. I forgot to mention that the enemy are still
in great force over the river & that Longstreet will not give furloughs
which this is the case but if we can have a bad rainy time of it the ground
gets boggy I think he will give
furloughs we have as a general thing wild- Tell your father to take care of the
enclosed papers as they may be of use to me hereafter. I have one other paper to furnish in relation
to the matter showing how long the court was in session. I will send it in three or four days- so good
by- no more now your loving H –
Fes
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