.NTU4.NzI1
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[1]
Camp near Chaffin’s Bluff Sunday evening July 27th
My dear wife:
I received yours postmarked 22d yes- terday – four days in coming – making three letters from you in six days. I knew it would be so, after such a long interval without any. I cannot thank you enough, Darling, for writing such good long letters – you have no idea how highly I prize them, and how much good they do me. Doc & Sam also received long letters from Mildred of the same date. I count time by the receipt of your letters, & date everything back to the time I got your last one. Doc & Sam got permission to visit the 14th V[irgini]a Reg[imen]t to see Geo[rge] [Finley’s?] old company & little Billy Morton. It is on the other side of the [James] River & about four miles from here. I am on guard to-day (the first time I’ve been on duty Sunday since being in the service.) Our Adjutant, to encourage the soldiers to keep bright guns & learn guard duty, always excuses the [struck-through] one third of the guard who have the brightest guns or answer the most questions about the duties of a guard, from standing any during the day, so that they have to stand only from two to four hours (instead of eight)
[2]
-and that at night, which is the most pleasant time in the summer. I have always succeeded in getting a- mong those who are excused, so my guard duties come very light right now. Doc’s being detailed as assistant Surgeon excuses him form drill & guard. We had a sermon to-day from our Capt[ain]s brother who spends most of his time in our company, distributing tracts, & holding prayers with the sol- diers. He is a good man and right good preacher. We have been talking some of beginning again our bible class, which we all enjoyed so much at Glo[uce]st[er] P[oin]t – also of having prayers in our tents every night, but there are so many things to bother & interrupt, it seems almost impossible to carry out anything of the kind. It is very solemn & affecting to at- tend a soldier’s prayer meeting – their prayers seem to be more earnest than those we generally hear at home, -and then such petitions as are frequently offered up for the dear, loved ones they have left behind – their sing- ing almost always moves one to tears. Camp life is a severe ordeal for any one to pass through, but a true Christian enjoys religion more here, I believe, than he does at home, as he feels more his dependence on God.
[3]
I have been reading to-day a tract of J[ohn]. Randolph Tucker, Attorney Gen[eral] of V[irgini]a – “The Bible or Atheism” of 30 pages. It is a fine thing, but too deep & metaphysical for gen- eral reading – but few soldier’s can understand it, & but a few will undertake it, on account of its length. But I must stop now for a time – till I feel more like writing. I had a Sunday dinner to-day & [over sat?] myself – What do you think it was? Scrambled eggs & corn bread – We pay only $1. a day for eggs – I also had a doz[en] small green peas for which I paid 20 c[en]ts. We still have to do our own cooking, as Henry is quite sick yet, but Doc thinks not dangerously. (Monday morning) have just come off of post & will hasten to finish this that it may go to-day. Doc & Sam returned last night – saw Geo[rge] [Finley?] & a good many others of their acquaintances – went very near Willie Wilson, but didn’t go to visit him, as they were told that he was in R[ich]mond – He goes to R[ichmond] every Sunday & spends the day with his wife – isn’t he fortunate in every way. Oh, Darling, if I could but have the privilege of seeing you – if only every Sunday – and for
[4]
a short time. Tell sister Martha I didn’t see her little note in one of yours until it accidentally fell out yesterday. I think envy or jealousy must have dictated it – and am afraid she will be an unhappy, envious, [...ed?], cynical, fault- finding old maid – tell her, I am sorry, being sorry for her, but [Tanks?], no doubt, still thinks and talks about “Cousin Dot” – and he is neither a volunteer nor a conscript. She had much bet- ter write me a good long letter, & I will find her a nice [beau?] from K[ing] & Queen [County, Va]. Col[onel] Goode says he cannot allow anyone to furnish a temporary substitute for a months furlough. The reason is very evident. Thank [Lou?] for her letter, if I can possibly get time I will an- swer hers & Mildred’s – Your account of Charley & Minnie make me more anxious to get home. Tell Charley I will write him a letter soon. Every evening about sunset [‘every...sunset’ underscored] I am on dress parade – every morning a- bout sunrise I am sitting in my tent door on my knap- sack, thinking of my precious treasures at Home. May God bless them & keep them from all trouble, and harm, and even restore them to me. I like the idea of you coming to Richmond & bringing [underscored] the children. Much love to all – Mr. Speed & your Pa understand my bargain with [?] – Y[ou]r devoted husband N[athaniel] V. W[atkins]
