William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Your exceedingly good long letter of the 13th 14th & 15th came to night and I
have read it over with a great deal of satisfaction, for darling it does me
good and satisfies me to hear
you say that “now you know yourself better than ever you
did before and that you know beyond a doubt that you can
trust yourself. For my darling one I know you better
than you know yourself if possible. And I do not believe you ever attempted to
deceive me in the “least little particular” although I may not have let you know
that I did know it.
and darling wife I have
known for a long time, that there might be such a
combination of circumstances as would make you do that for which you would ever
after be sorry for, and although I have always thought that some how, your “good
angle” would watch over you and not let you go to far, still I was not entirely easy, for I know myself. I know that I have loved you truly and good all the time, yet I farther know that my love can be turned to hate very easy. And
when once turned, you know very well, it never turns back, so I had cause to hope all
might go right with you for it would ruin both of us to
have it otherwise. So darling I say I am so glad to have you write me in such
strong language that “you are
sure now that you
can trust yourself”. I knew all about
men and women before we were married and well new the dangers that surrounded
you. Well we will let the matter drop now and proceed to something else. Know I
guess you have not got “Capt Frost on the brain” nothing only the first symptoms He is here in my tent about half the time
and most of the time telling what a grand time he had in Waterbury and how sorry
he was he did not see Katie. I thought is was so funny he did not see Father or
Mother Beebe. He tells me all about everything but kissing
you, he has not got round to that yet, but says “little Mollie” sent a good kiss to papa”, but I guess I shall laugh
at him about it tonight and see what he has to say for himself.
Well
my darling one I am also so glad to hear you have made a visit to Mr Parker and
that they are all right. “Katie is a darling girl” and I knew you would
acknowledge it when you got over being “just a little
jileaus” of her ha! ha! Yesterday we had a grand review of the “sixth
Corps” by Genl Grant and I got a good look at him for the first time. I like his
looks first rate and can assure you he is no humbug but a
genuine good common sense man – that is my opinion.
Col Jewett is still talking of resigning but nothing very
definite yet. My big box come all right to day but have not received a word from
any one yet about it or what it cost, but I tell you we will have a good feast
on the Eggs sugar & Butter for the Sutlers have all gone and we had got
almost down to “Hard tack” Lieut Thompson came this afternoon and is looking “tip top” I thought he would
come, and sent “old Dun” down for him and sure enough there he was – wasn’t
it lucky?
Last night the Col and myself sent a recommend to the Gov. to
commission Lt Stetson as Capt of Co “F” – Lieut Newton 1st Lieut Co “B” – Sergt.
White 2nd Lt. Co “I” and Sergt Maj. Stiles to be 2nd Lt. Co “G” And now darling
I know you will be pleased to hear the rest “Quartermaster Sergt. Charles Reynolds to be 1st Lt. and Regimental
Quartermaster”. Aint that grand? – I expect Capt Platt will start for home about
Tuesday He feels very good to think he is going home, but I should not for his
discharge does not say “honorably
discharge”. We have got a miserable camp. The big rains have made it awful muddy but we do not expect to remain here long so do not
feel very bad over it No new Army news. Lt Stetson was talking with me to day
about you, and
praised you up very much. He thought you was “real good” and I told “yes you was”. I think they all liked
you while here – how could they help it? you was so good Well darling wife,
“taps” were beat some time since and the boy will be after the letters soon, so
I must close – what a glorious priviledge it is to write to our “loved one’s” if
we cannot see them. I will warm my feet take another good look at my darling
wife, then crawl into bed and I hope dream of her; but blessed one how well you know, I should so much rather have my arm around
your neck, with your head upon my faithful breast, than
to dream of it. What glorious nights we
did have while you were here did’nt we? I am getting bad off again so quick – you thought it would take me some time – well I think it will be some
time before it will do me any good – and I hope then it will be with my darling wife.
good night from husband