Difference between revisions of ".NDUy.NjE3"

Latest revision as of 16:19, 11 August 2017

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Gloucester Point Ap[ri]l 24th [18]62

My dear Wife! – Yours of Ap[ri]l 13th was received last evening – I had received one from you of an earlier [‘an earlier’ struck-through] a later date (mailed by Mr. Booker in Clarksville [NC]) two days earlier. Am very sorry to hear of Cousins [Ahans?] & Isabella’s illness, but hope from your letter that they are now nearly well. Every thing seems to be very quiet here and on the Peninsula, and has been for several days – it has even been rumored that the Yankees are leaving the Peninsula, but I think this can not be true, but believe they are carry- ing troops from Old Point [Comfort] to Fredericksburg [VA] in order to flank our army if possible, & make an attack “on Richmond from that direction, as they have met with a much stronger front here than they expected. We have seen a great many transports going up the bay during the last two days. You spoke of sending me the news cut out of the daily papers – I had much rather for you to send me

[Envelope]

[Postmark] Gloucester Point VA, Apr 25 1862

Mrs. Nannie V. Watkins (Care Mr. Tos. B. Daniel) Townesville N[orth] C[arolina]

[Marginalia – Envelope] Send by Sass[afras] Fork mail [underscored]

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the same quantity of paper filled with your writing, with news from your Pa’s & home, with the sayings & doings of yourself and our precious little ones, with your own thoughts & feelings, jotted down at any time, a few lines at a time, with or without connection. This would be far more interesting to me, darling, than anything else you could send. The boys all laugh at me about writing so much, and a good many of them are as much [rejoys][struck-through] rejoiced at my getting a letter as the would be at getting one themselves, it does me so much good. I frequently get all your old letters and read them over again, beginning back with the one you wrote me the day after I left you. We will take a daily paper as soon as things get a little more quiet, and we feel more assured that we will remain at this place – as it is I have lost all faith in anything I see in the papers, and scarcely look at one when I get it. Your speaking of the beautiful flowers at Home & at Brownsville reminded me that spring had come and that the fields and woods were beginning to look green. [I’ve?] nothing

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of this down here – Gloucester Point is just one huge bank of sand – (I frequently when spading it think how much your Ma would like to have a bag of it.) it would be covered with grass but for the recent embankments, and the trampling of soldiers. The woods around are principally pines, so that we can scarcely see the approach of the beautiful spring. I have determined to get a few hours furlough soon and go a short distance into the country just to enjoy the silence, fresh air, and sweetness of the budding forest, and green fields. If I could just take a two-hours stroll with you, some bright Sunday evening, around our sweet home, how much I would enjoy it. I can almost see the clover lot, and the wheat and the oats – how green and fresh, and clear it all looks, and then what I would enjoy most of all how still and quiet and retired it would all be. What annoys me as much as any thing else is the constant noise, and hustle and confusion – it is impossible to find a still quiet place & be alone for five minutes.

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We very rarely see any ladies – a few days since I saw a carriage standing near our tents, with four beautiful girls in it – couldn’t resist the temptation to go and take a look at them – to stare them in the face and feel that I was doing nothing improper. [Lance?] an ugly old Irishman clap another on the shoulder and say “[?], Mike! them’s the beautifulist things in nature” – felt a greater respect for the old fellow. I must close this as I have two more letter to write – one to Ma & one to Cousin Bettie Daniel – I write regularly (or try] four letters every week – three to you and one to Ma – and then if I have time one to some of my friends – Let me know if Charley has gotten his letters – How is my puppy coming on – find out from Mr. Harris how my teams come on – My stock of all kinds – wheat, oats, & clover and if the little orchard is doing well. Give love to the negroes & tell them to try and keep everything straight & to behave themselves and towards every body, and not to run about too much – I feel great anxiety about them.

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(5) and am sorry I didn’t see them before I left – Remember me to Mrs. Hine’s & Smiley – Much love to all the neighbors – and much, much love precious, to you & the children and to all at your Pas. The boys are all well – Daniel is nearly well of the mumps – Sam is very well & contented – enjoys himself very much and is liked by all the company. Says it is very convenient to be with me, as his folks can hear from him so often without his writing. Doc takes things much better than I expected he would, but seems more se- rious than I ever saw him, and has I think more respect for religion. I believe he is sorry he didn’t take my advice, and try to get married before coming down. I showed him your hair & the childrens the other day, & he showed me a piece of Bettie’s – but you must say nothing about this. How are Millie & Willie Scott coming on – tell Millie she promised to write me all about it – I will not show or tell any thing – When is the letter Lou promised me. Has [Ja’s?] mother got [?]

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Have written another page without intending it and must finish this – The Yankee steamers have been throwing shell at us a- gain since I commenced writing – I had to stop writing to guard a magazine – while standing there one shell passed directly over my head, and though I knew I was safe, couldn’t help feeling a little singular. [underscored] It exploded and Sam went and has just brought in some of the pieces. They sent some eight or ten near me while standing on my post, but I would dart into the bomb-proof when I heard them coming, like a spider in his whole [struck-through] hole, and finally become so much amused that I could n’t help busting out into a laugh though by myself. Though in no great danger here now we are constantly reminded how entirely we are dependent on God’s protecting care, and often during the day do I find my heart [?] in silent praise & gratitude to Him, not only for the protection over me & mine since being here, but during our whole lives, we didn’t know how blest & happy we have been, darling, before we was separated – your devoted husband N[athaniel] V W[atkins]