William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
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Yours of the 23rd was recd. all right and I was right when I wrote you that "not
receiving a letter was a good sign" for it seems our "little pet" was still
alive. Oh! how the dear little one must suffer, and how you all must suffer in
watching him so long, but if he will only live and get well I know very well you
will not mind the long weary days and nights you spend in taking care of him.
Darling don't run yourself down so and tell how poor and
black you are getting. A few days ride on horse back,
when he gets well, will fetch the color back to your cheeks again, and you will
not be ashamed of your looks, and I know very well I shall not be ashamed of
you. I wrote you some time ago I think abt Sergt. Davis wife being here in camp,
I also send a paper I recd. from Sam Luce- and as there
was a piece in it that was so much like me I thought
I would send it to you.
for the last four weeks the poor woman has been suffering with the
consumption, and this evening she is diing, and it makes
us all feel sad, for she is a good little woman. We are watching sharp now for a
grand "raid" from Lee's army soon, and we do not feel very well to think the
Gen’l does not send us more troops, for we are guarding the river now with four
of our companies, and two companies of cavalry all the way from mouth of
Monocacy to below "Grate Falls" some twenty five miles, and all we have here on
the reserve is six companies of our Regt, one company of Cavalry and a Battery,
which I think is altogether to small a force, and it would not be very strange
if the next you hear of us we shall be on our way to Richmond, still I don't
borrow much trouble about it till it comes (my old motto) Capt Dillinghams
company is here with me and I am going to keep it here. They are all well and
getting along nicely.
Com’y "B" is still the best company. I get
along splendidly, in fact beat myself and do a great deal better than I expected
I could do commanding a Regiment. Col Jewett is still in command of the Brigade.
We have not heard much about his being promoted since Congress adj. but he
expects it some time, and so do I. I have got several
photographs of officers of the Regt. which I will send you in a separate
envelop, and you can put them in "my album" Also I send you a few more of my
own, as I had to get two dozen more the other day to supply the
demand. Also I send you Fifty dollars in this letter to assist you in
paying your debts. Aint that good? You better not say much about it as some
folks might think I get my pay pretty fast. I can send
some more in a few days if this gets through safe. The is no war
news with us. "all quiet". dont make me wait
very long for letters. love to all.
As Ever William