George G. Howe, Middlebury, to Lorette E. Wolcott, Shoreham

Camp near Patricks Station, VA
March 28th 1865

Dear Lorette,

I have not heard from you for so long that I am very much in doubt whether you care to hear from me or not. But as there are some signs of a move I may not have a chance to write very soon [I] thought it would be a good plan to let you know that I am still in the land of the living, and well. We had an awful storm of wind last Thursday, at times the air was so full of dust that nothing could be seen, "ten feet off" chimneys, trees, and tents were blown down. There were two men very badly hurt at the camp of the Second ___ by trees falling on their houses. Also at the Fort Fisher (a new fort a short distance to our left) two more by limbs that were blown from a tree. One of them a Sergeant of the 2nd ___ has since died.
Of course you have read about the battle of last Saturday. In the morning we had orders to be ready to march at a moments notice. As the troops at the point taken by the Rebels in the morning took back what they had lost we did nothing but keep ready until about half past two PM when our division charged the enemy in our front and took their skirmish works. They poured [?] the shot and shell into our lines terribly, but then there were not a great many hurt in our Brigade. In the Regiment there were eleven wounded, and one killed. We got back to our camp at about eleven PM the next day (Sunday). I was on picket, everything was very quiet until about five o'clock Monday morning (just before light) when the Rebels (who had got into position in the night) charged on the pickets of the 3rd Brigade and drove them from their works, and that gave them a chance to take us on the flank. And the right of us (the 2nd Brigade) pickets had to skidadalle. I was in charge of thirteen posts next to the right and when they commenced to fire on our flank perhaps we didn't run, but only a little ways we got to a little crest and formed a skirmish line, and gave them fits. They last more than ten to our one.
We have been getting some "memorials" of our Battery painted and I thought perhaps you would like to see one. So I sent it by mail tonight. When I get home we'll have it framed (that is if you like it and will accept it).
Has Julia got back to Shoreham yet? How is your ____? Does it make any noise now-a-days? I suppose there is some mud up their now. Would like to be there a few minutes just to see. Now about this writing business. You know you won't write to me the second time. That is after you have written once you do not write again until you hear from that. I am not complaining but there you know after a fellow waits there is few times and gets no answer he will begin to think that perhaps you do not care much about hearing from him. Is this so in this case? I am very hard to take a hint. So you had better tell right out.
When I was on picket the Lieutenant that had charge of the line to my left found some poor Rebels love letters and gave it to me. Will send it to you. Tell one how you will like the style.
Remember me to all the good folks.
Goodnight.
As Ever Yours
George