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to my dear wife

He wants her to write more. He talks of searching for beans for breakfast but coming up empty-handed. He draws a picture full of dots and says it represents kisses for her and the baby.

GLC02740.28

to my dear wife

Some of the company has been sick but they have fattened up since they arrived 2 years sgo. He has gone through a lot of pens because of his letter writing and had to nuy more ink,

GLC02740.29

to my dear wife

He does not think the Rebels will be able to fight much longer. He suspects the war will be settled in the summer.

GLC02740.30

to my dear wife

very difficult to read.

GLC02740.31

to my dear wife

One of the lieutenants deserted to see his parents, but they caught him and sentenced him to be shot. The weather is quite warm now. They have their guns now.

GLC02740.32

to my dear wife

They have been under constant marching orders. They are now a few minutes walk from Rebel lines.

GLC02740.33

to my dear wife

He is sorry to hear the baby is sick. He is currently in the book house, just killing time. The Rebels currently have to keep shooting across lines all night to prevent deserters.

GLC02740.34

to my dear wife

He forgives her for writing "that letter," but does not say what was in the letter. He has got four months pay now besides the bounty money at his disposal.

GLC02740.35

to my dear wife

He is in site of the Rebels' picket line. They plan to surround them and starve them. They can't last much longer. He thinks he will come out all right.

GLC02740.36

to my dear wife

He describes a battle in which the Rebels lost 400 people.

GLC02740.37

to my dear wife

He warns her not to expect him home in a few months. It could be the rest of the year. He guesses that every day since they left they have marched about 300 miles.

GLC02740.39

to my dear wife

He has been feeling sick lately. He reassures her that he won't be reenlisting. He tells her to keep up the courage, for he will be coming home soon.

GLC02740.40

to my dear wife

He talks of wanting to come home. He speculates on when they may begin discharging soldiers. He also mentions seeing all the wounded from the last battle and how devastating it was.

GLC02740.41

to my dear wife

He has a bad cough. He plans to send her a picture of gallups island and city point. He will soon witness a man getting shot. They plan to shoot him so that he falls into the coffin. He worries his heart will get hardened to such sights.

GLC02740.46

to my dear wife

His cough is getting better. He talks of wanting to go home and the nice times they will have.

GLC02740.47

to my dear wife

They are going to be sent to Maine as sharpshooters since they cannot be put anywhere else in the United States. He sees a lot of Rebels coming in lately and describes them as good-looking, smart men.

GLC02740.48

to my dear wife

There is a heavy battle going on nearby. They, on the other hand, are still having good times. They do not have their rifles yet. He reminds Lizzie that she is always in his prayers.

GLC02740.49

to daughter

He ate some good strawberries recently. He is sorry to hear of her leg troubles.

GLC02740.62

to my dear wife

He instructs her to direct her letters to Washington. He tells her to dress warmly. He says he would give anything to see his darling.

GLC02740.09

to my dear wife

He thinks he will be at home in June sometime. Unfortunately they will not get paid until they are discharged. He plans to get a piece of land and build his own house when he returns.

GLC02740.42

to my dear wife

He describes Washington as a handsome city, but not as nice as Richmond. He apologizes for not having written lately. He assures her he has remained true to her since he has been there and always will be.

GLC02740.43

to my dear wife

He has been paid well lately and he can eat what he wants. He thought he loved her as much as possible when he went away, but now he realizes that being apart has caused him to love her more.

GLC02740.44

to my dear wife

He is very homesick these days but doen't think it will be much longer. He expects to stay in their current location until they are discharged. He has a breakfast of fried ham and potatoes.

GLC02740.45

to my dear wife

The Rebels lost 3,000 soldiers recently.He describes their efforts to take care of the dying and wounded.

GLC02740.38

to my dear wife

He is lonely and has not heard from his wife in a while and hopes she is well. He hopes the time apart will soon pass.

GLC02740.06