Thunderbolt Battery June 1.rst 1863
Mrs Nancy J Harden
My Dear Wife I embrace the present opportunity of writing
you a few lines in In answer to yours of the 25th inst..
which I received last night while I was on Guard at
Greenwich, and it gave me great Satisfaction to here
from you as it was the first letter since the 7.th
at this writing I am well and hearty I eat so much dinner
that I can hardly get up.. I paid 25.cts. for milk enough
for Supper & Breakfast last night We can get it here
for 8.0.cts to $1 dollar per gallon and it is very nour-
ishing it is the first of milk I have had since we left
Camp Gordon. Our Company is nearly all gone to Whit-
marsh Island to do picket duty this week I with the
Orderly, Seargeant, and a few men are left at the camp
to take care of it. Ben Brookins will come home in a
day or too and I will send this by him if he comes I will
also send you some envelops. by him if I do not
for get it.. We hear no News for the big fighting at
all We can not tell how long it will be before some
of us can get to come home. Those who have been here
the longest has the prefferences and that of course
[???] wright.. I have no Idea of getting the c[h]ance to
Come home to cut wheat.. I would be glad to
be there and eat Something good. I want to eat
the hopping leg of that pig I want you to w[??] [1]
how your hogs are and if you think we wil[?]
Some pigs soon, and how much corn you h[?]
[page 2]
to feed them with and and how the cows
are and chickens My Dear Jane you know I used
to Love to feed my pigs cows mule and chickens, and
take Mollie with me and make them gentle, and
kind but alas! those days of pleasure are gone, and I
separated from the object of my Love.. without
the Priviledge of returning I got the Curl of hair from
my baby. you must pay strict attention to
her instruction , and Cultivate in her the
power of reason, which is the very essence of a
good Education, and female Beauty.. and above
all good reason is the Best of Philosophy, however
good we may talk or read, without reason we
are rattling fools..the time now is when you aught
to begin to nourish those principles which lead to
a Noble and virtuous life.. and which makes its
possesor free, and Indipendent. I do not mean those
flimsical parts of Education but such as will
do in the corn field..wash tub or any where else.
I could write all day, and then not dscribe what
I mean but you can guess at it.. So I will stop
for a while, and rest. I went to sleep last night
and I dreamed that I got furlough and went
home and that I saw you and Mollie and the
old man Seab, and no one else I wish
I could happen to get it.. and realize my
dream. I thought we had a heap to talk
about.. but I am doubtful still hoping
for the [?]tter I can not write in my lap [??]
[page 3]
you did not write whether Pa’s folks has got Joe
yet and what made him runaway I would
be glad to here I heard form John Pat, yesterday he is
well, and at the Isle of Hope he will get a furlough
in a short time so I heard I am going to see
him the first chance. I have got the Bellyache..
now I eat so much dinner. I dont
Tell Betty she must not eat so much.. she
will be lazy.. Well I will finish my
letter I am going to send you some
invelops by Mr Brookins
and some papers to read.. which will
give you the news..
I will try to think of some [???] So I will quit until
morning the drum is beating now and I must answer to rooll
call.. &c WH. Harden
I have swaped Watches I have got a doubled case
watch now. it is a great place to trade.. here the
watch that I have got now is worth 45 dollars
and it cost me 25. if I can make one more
trade I will turn it in to money and send
[page 4]
I will rite on this side in the morning June 2..nd
This morning I am [??] I have just eat my
Breakfast Mr Brooking will start soon
this evening and I must fix up my things
I have got some Rice, and Shugar I intend to
Send home but but I cant get it ready
this time.. When you write give me all the
news. I do not want any more money at this
time I have enough now to bring me home
Write soon and be Cheerful
Fare you well for this Time
I remain your Devoted
Husband until
Death. W.H.Harden
P.S. I will send [these?]
things to Mrs Benson