2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery

Item LTR-5265

Description

8 pages, original Civil War Union letter written in period ink and war dated.

Headquarters, 2nd Pennsylvania Artillery
Near Bermuda Hundred, Virginia

August 29th 1864

My Loving Darling,

Your ever welcome and loving letter reached me this morning after breakfast and of course have felt in a good humor all day. The change from our former hard life has not, as yet, made us dissatisfied with our present position and there is a likelihood that we will be remaining here for a month or perhaps longer. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to be removed from our former front. Here, we go through the routine of camp life as in Washington, where before we were on duty all the time and nearly always under fire. Our reports here in the morning do not now show many killed or wounded and our sick list is gradually diminishing in number. I go out riding nearly every day and it seems something like old times. Yesterday I rode across the river near our old front to General Meade’s headquarters to see Frank Grugan. I remained with him for some time and we got up a whole party to ride over to our camp in the afternoon. I am acquainted with quite a number of officers there and all together we had a very pleasant day. The ride was delightful the day being find and good breeze steming. Watermelons are pretty plenty and we enjoy this luxury at any rate. I think I have eaten watermelons with you and Mary Keen several times both in Jersey and West Philadelphia. Do you remember the night at your cousin John Sellers when I washed Mary keen’s face? She does no doubt. I was a little afraid of you perhaps, but, I’ve gotten over that somewhat since, have I not? You must not be distressed any more dearest about me. For I am safe, sound and out of range of all harming projectiles. You must feel as light and relived as I do dear in knowing this and so no more crying until I come home when it will only be for joy. I have something to tell you too. I received a letter note last night from my friend Will Howell who is on General Ingalls’ staff. Chief L. M. of the Armies of the U.S. He said that the general desired another officer on the staff and that he had mentioned my name to him. The general said that he would apply for me and thinks he can make it come out all right and that it will be more successful than the other order was detailed me for duty in the commissary department. Captain Howell desired to know if I would accept. If so he would have the application written out at once. I signified my acceptance of course and am awaiting further developments. Captain Howell represents the general as a splendid officer to serve with and thinks I will be well satisfied to get with him. I have been introduced to the general and have met him several times, with Colonel Gibson who is an old friend. The general is known through the armies most favorably and I am in hopes to get this position which in every respect is a most desirable not only as a good staff appointment but I will be among friends with whom I have been so well acquainted with. I have fears however that General Ord may object strongly as he did before but as General Ingalls has great influence with General Grant, the order may go through. There are many rumors of the return of our regiment to Washington from pretty good authority. It is known that the order for our return was made some time since but as we were on duty in the trenches, the 10th New York Artillery were sent instead. I would rather be on duty here than in Washington and do not desire to return with the regiment if I can help it. I will know I suppose by the time I next write something more definite about my new appointment, but I don’t anticipate too much neither must you. I was out on the picket line in front last eveing and the evening before, and it seemed a strange sight in deed to see our pickets and those of the rebels in plain view and occupying the same field without exchanging shots. They are on the most familiar terms imaginable, exchanging papers, tobacco, etc.. This familiarity has today been stopped however, although we have orders not to fire unless in case of necessity. The country around here is most beautiful. I enjoy the rides in the cool of the evening very much. I often have wished that you could share them with me. I know you would think them delightful. Every pleasure of mine could share them with me. I know you would think them delightful. Every pleasure of mine would be doubled if I only could have you share them with me. If I could only know that you were happy too. My darling, my love for you is always as full and thoughtful as ever, and each day I feel more hopeful and bright in anticipation of the future and of the end of our present separation. How long it has been and how much longer it seems. How full of trials and danger, and yet I do feel hopeful of a happy meeting. What a happy time that will be when I can as in your dream hold you again in my arms and take away the last kiss I left on your forehead at our parting. How new and strange and glad we will feel to know that we can have each others society to enjoy those hours that we have only tasted but seldom and at such long intervals. Ah, dear, I get lose sometimes in such bright anticipations. Yet I hope and trust that they may be realized and that nothing will tend to mar them. I like to hear of where you have been and are going for I imagine how happy I would feel and how I would act if I were with you. You must go out and enjoy yourself now as much as you can for in so doing, I will feel happier also. I found one of Mary keen’s letters in my valise on a book that came back to me. I shipped them altogether and don’t know how they got scattered. Tell your grandmother that I am at last out of those holes and feel considerably cleaner for if nothing else give my love to her when you see her again. I hope soon that we will get right well acquainted, although if you go on talking to her about me as you do from your letters, that she will be expecting too much in me. But I guess she understanding something of the effect of rosy hued tactics that my dear Clara uses and thinks everybody else does too. So you were introduced to Mrs. and Miss Betty Cook. I did not know they were at our house. Did you see them more than once? What paper was it that Governor Curtin’s report appeared in relation to our regiment. I saw short notice but not the report. Give my love to all at home. I shall be expecting your Sunday’s letter tomorrow night to make me sleep soundly and sweetly and until then, I must bid my darling good night. Good night dearest. With all the love of your own.

Florence