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Camp Chaffin’s Farm August 20th 1862

My dear Precious

I write again hastily this morning that you may get a letter from me at the customary time. I have had so much writing to do for some time that I have but very little time to do anything else. Have received none from you of a later date than Aug 11th so it seems as if the mails are getting out of order again. I suppose it must be on account of the great num- ber of troops that have been passing over the rail-roads for the last eight or ten days. The [seat?] of the war seems now to be moved entirely from this side of Richmond, as it is pretty well ascertained that there are no forces at all here (on this side of the River) but our little Brig- ade. There is also a N. Carolina Brigade (Martin’s) on the opposite side & about 1½ miles from us (in which is [Ven D.?], & besides this, I have heard there were but a very few on that side of the River. Our brigade had orders Monday to keep[crossed-out] get two days

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rations cooked & be ready to march, but is was generally thought it was for a short trip down to Malvern Hill or Berkeley, if we would move at all. They will certainly not move us now unless our army on the Rapidan is pressed much harder by the Yankees that I think they can be. I think there is a great deal at stake in the next battle. It is evidently the wish of the Yankees to put off an engagement, as they are constantly receiving reinforcements, but our army seems to be constantly in- creasing too, from where , no one knows, & I am [clairly?] expecting to hear that our Gens. have struck the decisive blow. I have been very low-down for the past six or eight days.

Dr. Mason & Doc seem to think I have a slight touch of [Ia...dier.?]. If so, it has had no other effect than to disorder my stomach a good deal & make me feel more than usu- ally home-sick. Hasn’t disqualified me from attending all the meetings of the Court Marital

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& doing all the writing required. I think prob- ably, it is from sitting still & writing so much and as the court will soon be through with it business & I return again to active duty, I think I will again get in my customary good health. It may be that I have indulged too freely in the good things we got from home. Haven’t been sick, or enough unwell to take any medicine, but just enough so to make me feel very low spirited, and anxious about every thing at home. – but think now I am getting a little better of it. We have been having delightful weather for the last ten days, real fall weather, & have enjoyed very much, only the nights are getting a little cool, so that we have to sleep a little closer together than usual. Our sick list is rapidly decreasing & the com- pany again filling up. We are beginning to talk about winter quarters, and expect, of course to winter just where we are – Unless we should spend the better part of winter at home.

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Oh darling, if this just could be so – if I could just know now that I would spend the better part of winter at home, [ ? ] peace & happiness . I would hardly care or think of anything else. You cant imagine, Darling, how I wish & pray to be with you & our little childrn again – and how I enjoy your letters about your feelings & their little doings & sayings. I used to think there was such a thing as getting used to being absent from Home & loved ones, but I do not find it so. Every thing suggests my home & my dear ones to me. Every hour, almost every minute, finds my thoughts with you. My dreams at night are filled with images of you all, & my first thoughts in the mornings are of you. If I see anything beautiful, or even anything pleasant, I wish you could en- joy it with me. If I have any pain, or any sor- row, I think it would be less if I could tell it to you. I have never before thought I could be- come so dependent on anyone & if it were

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any one but you, darling, I would be ashamed to admit it. But I must close. You have asked several times about my [trunk]. It is safe & will soon be sent to [Mrs] Howison’s. It is too cool now & for you to send my hat. I will need before winter two thick blankets – two thick flannel shirts, a pair of thick pants like the negroes wear dyed like my fatigued shirts and a good over coat, [ ? ] a cape to it. I merely mention these now so that you may know what I will want. Give much love to all – to your Ma [  ? ] if she [ever?] intends to write to me. Kiss Charley & Ninnie for me. Your devoted husband