Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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Your letter written in Boston a week ago today was rec'd last night. I wonder that you have not received more of my letters. I have written at least one letter a day since we came into this part of the country. Some of them, however, I have directed to Bradford, so that when you get home, as you have already, no doubt, you will find quite a batch of letters waiting for you. I have written Ben and Laura & Mr. Strickland & Charlie Harding since we came here. I see by the postscript of your letter, added Friday night, that you have rec'd my letter written from Near Warrenton Junction. I have written four or five letters & directed them to Charlestown, which you will get in due time.
We are still in Heintzleman's corps but have not joined Hooker's Army proper.
We are acting as a guard to the right of his army & at present
are in rather an exposed place, but there is no large force of the enemy near
us. Before we are in much actual danger there will probably be some change here.
We shall either be reinforced or withdrawn. (The train has already come & I
must hurry to finish this)
We have moved back from the river about a mile so that the train has run past us to our old encampment & I can probably finish this.
I am glad you are at home, still I like to have you enjoy yourself as well as you
can. You must keep up good courage & not have any fears for me. I will take
good courage & not have any fears for me. I will take good care of myself on
your account. If was not for you, my dear, I should not hesitate at all about
coming again, but as long as you feel so unwilling I hardly think I shall come
again, if I can honorably remain at home. Still I can make you no promise now.
Write me often & tell me all that is going on at home. Remember me to Laura
& Mac. How is
the little rogue? I hope he is well for your sake.
Which is your room now? Shall you sleep up stairs in our old room or down
stairs? Write me all about the house & every thing. Mr. Batchelder will let
you have what money you want - unless he has let some money which he had in his
hands. If he has you can get some from the Bank. I want you to have what money
you need to live comfortably. Have you rec'd my letter in regard to getting some
porter? When you do I want you to send to your Uncle
Horace & have him send you a doz. bottles of good porter & I want you to
drink it. Remember I dont advise this I
order it. I want some left when I get home unless you find use for
the whole. You must get rid of your cold & cough before I get home. I should
like to come home once & find you perfectly well. I want you & Laura to
make arrangements to meet us at Brattleboro, when we get home. I care more about
the visit on Laura's account as she has never been in Brattleboro nor seen a
Regt.
Write often & I will do the same.
You did not tell me where you was stopping in Boston when you wrote.
I want you to see Mr. Batchelder & get acquainted with him. He has the whole charge of my business. Give him my regards.
Mr. Bowen, a fine old gentleman who lives near here has just called. We all had an engagement to take dinner with him yesterday, but moving camp prevented our going. He is rather Union, at present, but his wife & daughter are secesh. He has a son in the Black Horse Cavalry.
The engine is whistling & I must close.
Love to all & an abundance to my dear wife.
Yours affectionatelyRos.