Roswell Farnham to [Mary Farnham]
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You will see by the date of this that we are back this side of Bull Run within the Department of the defenses of Washington & where picket firing at night does not disturb us.
Your letter of May 20th. Wednesday, was rec'd the afternoon of the same day I
last wrote you, Tuesday. The chaplain rode down to Union Mills from camp &
got the mail one day earlier than we should have got it by cars. Your letter of
Friday May 22d. I rec'd yesterday after arriving here. We got here yesterday
about three o'clk & got into camp comfortably before dark. The field
officers tents are on a hill by themselves, in a very pleasant place. Nelson has
got a floor to my
tent, & has pitched the fly out in front of the
tent so that we have almost two rooms tho' not stockaded as when you were with
us. He has also built a settee under the fly - & ripped open a seam in the
rear of the tent so we have a good circulation of air. Mr. Peach's tent is near
by & we are altogether very comfortable. Last night by invitation we took
tea with the Genl.. Had a very pleasant time. Mr. Herrick as I wrote you has
been quite sick. He is in a house close by the Genl. Hd. Qrs. I went in to see
him. He was very glad to see me - sent his regards to you & Laura. He said
he had rec'd a letter from Laura while sick, & was not able to read it for
several days. So he must have been very sick. The last time I saw him before
yesterday he was in robust health. He looks much better than he did, they say,
& will soon be out again.
This morning we have had a battalion drill from 8 to 10. -
The men drill very well. We shall stay here a few days probably & then move again for my part I dont care how often we move. It helps time pass away.
I dont want you to go home & work yourself to death. What is the reason you cannot take matters easier? You always fret too much. Dont work so hard. If you do, & think it necessary to work so hard, I shall begin to think it necessary for me to go into the Army again to earn something. We are to be paid again next week, so it is said.
If Mr. C. is willing to leave the house I think you had better let him. When I get home we shall have considerable company & we shall need the room. I think porter will be much better for you than whiskey & a little would not hurt Laura.
I rec'd your letter telling me of meeting a man who knew Cyrus. I am glad you spoke to him.
I think Chas. Baldwin has Bright's Digest.
The reaosn that I was not put in command of any of the detachments is that the Col. preferred to have me at Head Quarters, so that I could take command in his absence. I preferred to stay there - It was by special request of the Col. of the Genl. I presume he felt better to leave me in command rather than any of the Captains.
Lord has just been here after the mail & I must close.
Give my love to Laura & both of you write often.
I am sorry for Dr. Poole. I was in the same condition when I was about sixteen.
We are all well. Maj'. Kingbury's father has come out here & he has taken him out to see where he did command. In haste.
Yours affectionatelyRos.