Camp Bell Va April 6th [1863]
Dear Wife
you may think Strange in my
writing So often but Such is my
nature I must buisy myself Some
way as I have nothing to do only lay
around camp as I am off from
duty these days I have not done
any for quite awhile nor Shall I
till I feel Sound and able for duty
again I have often done duty when I
was not able but that thing has pl=
=ayed out with me I am willing for
one to do as far as I can consistan=
=tly but going any further I am not
willing for I have seen to much Sold=
=iering to be be carried away by every
little emulation that may arise I have
Seen as poor a spell of health this
Spring as I ever have seen Since I
have been in the service although I
have wisely kept if from you for
[Page 2 ]
I knew you would wory which would
be a natural consequence for I should
do the same by you if you were sick
I have put the best side of the picture
out as long as I remained so poorly
as I was but as my health is fastly
mending again and there is no prob=
=ability of Fever setting in as there has
been I am not afraid to write when
John came home I was prostrate
almost as you may say for I did
not set up half the time but I ch=
=arged him very particular not to
mention it to any of my friends
and I guess he done the fare thing
for I never herd as he toled it to
any one while home I have seen
Some prety tough days since that
time to you had better believe but
thank God I feel encouraged for it
Seams as though those poor days were
passed and I am in hopes if I
am very careful that I shall enjoy
[Page 3]
good health as bran new I think I
am agoing to get home for some
reason I cannot say but I feel as
though I should and all creation
cannot get it out of my my mind
but I shall till I am convinced othe=
=rwise from what I now see the thing
the Colonel is home on a visit now
and when he gets back I shall try
my hand for a chance and I think
my chance stands good although I
may be mistaken but I cannot see
it so now for the Colonel is a great
friend of mine and I think will do
the fair thing and if there is a chan=
=ce I will have it I never have asked
him for any thing yet but what
he was willing to grant it nor do I think
he will refuse of doing all he can to
get me home I have great faith as
far as that is conserned but enough of
this you need not be supprised when
I come if I am discharged for that
[Page 4]
may be the case strange things as that
has hapened and no one hurt as that
if I am discharged it shall be honer=
=ably not trying by going off and
playing sick as some few did I
could mention and did not suc=
=ceed in their undertakings whilst
other did not you know who I mean
therefore I will not mention their
names I guess I have wrote enough
of this trash so I will think about
closing my letter as I write very
often you cannot expect I will write
much at a time the boys are out
on Pickett I did not go out for fear
the exposier might be to much for me
they enjoy good health I might say
the best of health is bestowed upon them John
looks as tough as a bear and so does Wilson I
heard from Warren White this morning he enjoys
good health I intend going down this week and
Seeing them as for Orbo I wrote a long time ago
to him but recieved no answer but as I have his
adress I shall write again I wrote to Norman to
get me a Gold pen and toled him you would
let him have the money for what it cost do
it and I will send you as much no more at
present this from your Husband & friend L A. Granger
NB I recieved a letter from you start saturday Eve