|
|
|
|
|
George G. Howe, Camp near Danville VA, to Lorette E. Wolcott, Shoreham Camp near Danville VA, May 5th 1865 Dear Lorette, When I wrote to you last I believe I promised to write again in just
days and I did intend to but you see it has been more than that. In the
first place we had to move our camp about three quarters of a mile and
then I had to go on picket and the offices of the day in the spare time
I had we were fixing up our camp and building a very nice house of fine
bows. Got it done about dark Saturday April 22nd and said to myself I
will write to Lorette tomorrow but about half past three o'clock Sunday
morning we had orders to be ready to march at daylight, and you had better
believe we did march at any rate we came one hundred miles in four days
and four hours, perhaps no one had done that. I felt as though I was two
hundred years old at least, and if hardly taken off a hundred yet I shall
get over it though. We came through Danville last Thursday afternoon and
are now encamped about a mile from the city on the road to Greensboro
NC. Danville is a very pleasant place I should think form what I saw of
it about as large as Middlebury if we stay here anytime I shall get a
pass and go down and then perhaps can tell you some more about it. Walter
has gone down today. I was on picket Monday and part of the line is [?]
the river it is a beautiful river the banks covered all kinds of trees,
bushes and vines I saw one vine that is one of the handsomest things I
ever saw it climbed a large tree and completely covered it with blossoms
I picked of them and put in my memorandum. Don't know how they look now
but will send you one anyway, I wish you could see the roses in the grounds
we came by in Danville, all in full bloom, little ahead of Vermont isn't
it? No I don't think we will have anymore fighting at any rate in this
part of the country the next time you see Julia ask her if she thinks
a fellow can build houses, march, beyond picket, and write letters all
at the same time, when we all get home we will go and talk to her so she
will be glad to get rid of me and that I did not write. I thought people
generally grew poor in the spring but of course this is once and a while
so contrary that they will do nothing like other folks at any rate. I
should think 125lbs a pretty good feather, but it is a great deal better
to be poor as a crow. I suppose you and Emily use the patent honey hair
discombobinator don't you? Once a week is often enough to apply it. Sunday
morning is the best time. What did you let your little beau go west for?
Thought you were going to keep him. I hardly think Walter will try to
go home before his time is out then we will all be home together. There
is no news of any kind here we have but one male since we came here and
that was last night have seen but once paper since we came here and that
was the 24th April, except a very small one that is painted in town here
called the Sixth Copy.
|