William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Your splendid letter of the 14th came to me last night. I have been looking for
it for several days, that is for the particulars of sister Katies death and
funeral. I was pleased to hear that everything went off so nice and good, and
that everybody was so kind to you all. Oh my darling is it possible that Katie
is gone? when I realize that it is so my heart is sad indeed. As you say, I
believe I realized her worth more
than most of you. it is a hard
blow for us all, but it is one of the things we must bear up under and not
complain. I wish I could have been with you at the funeral to help you bear it -
how lonesome you must have been - but think what I had to suffer the day I left
you, and the next day, and in fact every day since, for I well know you are all
overloaded with grief - but there is one greater satisfaction, that is you have
got plenty of good friends. Mrs. Dillingham wrote Ed all about the death and
funeral - she spoke very highly of Katie and you – said you was brave and a
true woman. Katie had lots of friends here
among the boys, all of whom feel very bad.The boys are all feeling first rate
and getting along nicely. I have got command of five companies and have got
about five miles of the Potomac to guard. I make my head quarters with Ed’s
company – if you have a map of the Potomac look for Seneca Creek. we are camped
at the creek. my beat is three miles above and two miles below the mouth. It is
quite an important ford. you get all the news of the war in the papers better
than I can write you. I have written this on my knee – will write again, soon as
I
can get pen and Ink and other conveniences so I can do so. I will
write you often if I have to do it with a pencil. George stands it first rate –
tell mother I am getting tough and feel first rate so far as my health is
concerned. I do not know as you can read this for I have to watch Rebels with
one eye and write with the other. write often and believe me as ever
your loving husbandWilliam