Publicly accessible
The Corrine Carr Neetleton Civil War Collection
Prepared for the University of Virginia Library Electronic Text Center.
The first day of a New Year and Charles bids Adelaide a Happy New Year. Charles asks for two wishes for the New Year, a letter form Adelaide and Hal's recovery from his illness and laments the lack of letters from Adelaide. He then describes a night on picket and closes by wishing all a good New Year. A second letter on the same day sees Charles in higher spirits, his two wishes for the day being fulfilled, a letter from Adelaide and Hal's recovery. Charles is moved to describe that he has given up the domestic evils of drink, tobacco and cards and thanks Adelaide for her kindness in writing to him.
How do you do, this
beautiful day? Did you ever see such
a beautiful new years day in your life?
The day here is as pleasant as the most
delightful day I ever saw in May.
The main things^wanted^ thought, to make me
perfectly happy to-day, are, first a letter
from myTo: Addie
. second Hal's recovery
from his present indisposition. He has
not been well for the past few days
and last night he was some worse,
but is, I trust, better this morning
I hope he will soon be able to resume
his duties. He is not so bad however, as
to call in the Doctor yet, and I hope will not.
I have recieved but one letter since
we left Charleston, and that one was sent
to Charleston first. In it you spoke of not
recieving a letter from me since Capt Asper
returned. Have you not recieved any of
the letters I have written? I sent one from
Charleston, one from Parkersburg, one from
Green Spring Run, and two from Romney
together with a picture of "your's truly"
I have been waiting for Wood to return
hoping he would bring me some tidings
from you, but he does not come, and
as I went in and saw Hal, he asked
me to write home and let you know
he was unwell, so I add one more to
the list of unanswered letters.
I was on picket the other day and had
a first rate time. I send you a hasty sketch
of the headquarter of the outpost where I
was stationed. The smaller part of
"qui vive"] , expecting to hear the click
I made a sketch of some points of
interest, intending to send them to you
but while on picket the other day, they
were stolen. Mr. Davis arrived safe did
he not? Did you get the picture?
But I must bring this uninteresting
letter to a
"finis". Do write soon dear
Although I have once
written to day, duty andmy own inclination lead me to pen a few more scattered thoughts to my dearest, kindest, friendTo: Addie Now, to speak truly, I feel more like myself to-night than this morning, for two reasons, which reasons, are the fulfillment of my two wishes expressed in my note of this morningorig. -- the reception of a letter from you and about Hal's getting better. He is some better tonight, though not well. The wind has been blowing very hard,all day, [Page "6"/]
Page 2. and the tent kept flapping a [unclear: making a very disagreable noise to Hal, consequently, a severe head ache ensued, but the gale has in a measure subsided, and I trust a good night's rest will restore him to his wanted good health. But to turn to other subjects. Have you passed a happy new-year's day? and did you thoughts revert once to "Soldier boy" Charlie? and wonder if he was engaged in some Bechanalian excesses? Thanks, To: Addie, for the question which sis- ter Laurie prompted you to ask me. You may inform her that Charlie never was intoxicated in his life, and furthermore, while at Summersville, I pledged myself to"touch not, [Page "7"/]
3rd Page taste not, handle not the wine," or, in other words became a teetotaller. In making these assertions, I think I can be borne out in them by Co. H. and its officers. While on the subject[s] of domestic evils, let me remark that over two months ago, I eschewed the use of tobacco in any form, and while at Green Spring Run, I forswore the practice of playing cards. This I did for my own benefit and character hereafter. IsTo: Addie satisfied with this statement? It is I believe the truth. Oh! the temptations of a soldier's life! How great the want of some restraining influence at home!"Home," Tears invol= untarily spring to my eyes as I utter that endearing word, and think."I have no home." But fate has decreed that one remains, not too proud to own anoutcast soldier as abrother [Page "8"/]
That you should find anything worthy a sister's love in my poor self, is a matter of wonder to me. How can I ever repay you for your kindness in noticing one so far below your happy position? But, do I wound you? Forgive me dear, kind sister, and I will endeav or to dispel the unpleasant state of mind, which has come over me in a few moments ofbitter thought Would you know how the day has been passed by me? Well in the morning, after performing the usual routine, I called on Hal and was pained to learn that he had passed an ill night, after fulfilling his request to write home, I read"Guy Mannering" until Battalion drill, after which I returned to attend to the wants of my brother Hall where I now am and will remain tonight George Moore is with me and requests me to give his respects to"the family," I suppose he has some one in p. By the bye George is a good boy and is a true man.