.NTky.NzU4

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Camp Chaffin’s Farm. Sept[ember] 1st, 1862.

My dear wife,

I received a letter from you yesterday, dated 28th & 29th, a good long one, just such a one as I love much to get. All the morning was rain, & I could not write well in my tent so I intended going down in the evening to where the court sits, and have a long talk with you, but as soon as the rain [ceas[e]d?] Col[onel] Goode had a general inspection, and I could not go – so I will have to write hastily a- gain this morning. I also received yours of 25th Sat- urday, & one from Pattie which I will send you. I closed my last to you very abruptly that I might go to Richmond – I had succeeded in get- ting Capt[ain] Bagley, Col[onel] Goode & Gen[eral] Wise to sign a ten days furlough for me, & then had to get Maj[or] Gen[era]l G. A.[W?] [Gustavus Woodson?] Smith’s in Richmond – I went full of hope, with my Lieut[enant], who was to urge my application – but Gen[eral] Smith wrote on the back of my furlough “Furloughs based upon private

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considerations, however urgent & meritorious, are forbidden. If granted upon a certificate of disabil- ity, it must show that the absence is necessary to recovery. Respectfully returned.“ So you see, darling, what are my present prospects for a fur- lough. I had hoped in case I could not get a furlough, that you could come with the children to R[ich]mond & spend a few days with me, but lit- tle Mary Howison has the whooping cough & you could not stay there. You might stay though at a nice private boarding house, & I could be with you for two days, but not longer. Or you could leave the children & stay at Mr. Howison’s – but neither of us would half enjoy ourselves without the chil- dren, & I hate the idea of leaving them behind. You cannot [underscored] come without a gentleman to take care of you. You must not [‘must not’ underscored] try it. I dont think there would be any danger of the children taking disease on the [cars?] I suppose, of course, Aunt Judy would come with you too – but it is being right bad traveling for ladies with no gentleman.

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I couldn’t come my self, darling, and I sent by Willie Wilson’s wife, a daguerreotype of my self just as I am as a soldier. I tried to get you a photograph, but they were not taking them in R[ich]mond. I am sorry I could not send you a better one. I would give six months wages for one of you & the children. Col[onel] Goode would not take a temporary substitute. If I could get one for the war, over forty five, whose character I could vouch for, I might get him in, un- less Congress has put a stop to all substitutes, as they were trying to do when I was in R[ich]mond. I spent two days & a night in R[ichmond] and enjoyed it as much as I could when away from you. Slept at Mr. Howison’s on a nice [Mat[t]ress?], the first bed I have slept in for four months. It was so nice I couldn’t sleep for a long time – thinking of you all too kept me awake; as it very often does now for hours at a time. I will answer now some of your questions a- bout my clothes. I can get blankets from the

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Quarter Master (good Yankee ones) for $3. which is much cheaper than getting them from home. Also better pants for the service than you can make at $4.50. Our company bought a piece of good uniform cloth last spring just as I joined it which has never been made up, because we have been moving almost ever since. We will have the tailor down this week to [cut?] & make it – so you see I will not need blankets or clothes. I will need though two thick [underscored] flannel shirts to wear next my skin, & would like to get them by 1st or middle of October. We cant wear white shirts in camp. If I can find suitable material in R[ich]mond I will get some for colored shirts – will need two before Christmas. – You may though keep materials on hand for a full suit for me as a soldier sometimes loses his all in a march or in battle & you need not make it up. I can get cotton drawers from the Quarter Master at $1.00 have worn my flannel all summer & they are still good.

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Give much love to all – Tell Charley I am gla [see page 4 marginalia line 1] Darling, you don’t know how I long to see y [see page 4 marginalia line 2] tions about furlough are very hard & unreaso [see page 4 marginalia line 3] will write [see page 4 marginalia line 4]

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d to hear he is so kind & god to little [?] [continued on page 1 marginalia line 2] ou or my children. I think the army regula- [continued on page 1 marginalia line 3] nable – but they are almost [oblige?] to be so – [continued on page 1 marginalia line 4] more to-morrow or next day. Y[ou]r devoted husband – N[athaniel] V. W[atkins]

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I am well again – the court closes tomorrow or n [see page 2 marginalia line 1] jaundice slightly. Am afraid Tommy will try to m [see page 2 marginalia line 2] it out that he will not whip him by my [wish?] - & t [see page 2 marginalia line 3] the best way. I am determined to tell him.

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ext day & I am very sorry for it – I only had the [continued on page 3 marginalia line 2] ake his way to the Yankees – if your Pa will [give?] [continued on page 3 marginalia line 3] hen put him in jail & sell him, I think it will be [continued on page 3 marginalia line 4]