1861 April 4 Columbia [S.C.]

Dear Creek

I have received your very welcome letter
and am very happy to hear of you welfare, you say that
home has a lonely appearance since I left it, I am among
to much bustle to feel lonely, but it wants the sweet
influences of your company and the prattle of little
Maggie to add to the cheerfullness of my posision. Since
I arrived here, I have been so busy getting my company
properly Quartered and provisioned that I have not
had time to take the home sickness. I have been nearly
run of my feet but have now got the worst of it over,
and although I have to show a cheerful and happy
appearance to my men yet no man can tell the feelings
of my heart. Oh Creek what would I not give to be
with you, and our little Darling (Maggie) again.
If I only had the privilage of taking you along with
me I would be the happiest man on earth, but I
am going in a just and noble cause, and relying
on the protection of divine Providence I hope to be
soon enabled to return and partake with you of all
the joys of home.

You wish me to tell you when I think I may be home
that is more than I can say we dont know any more
about our future movements than we did on the day I left
Anderson. I think however we will know in the course
of a few days what our destination is to be, but it is my
impression that we will be in Columbia yet for a week
or so longer yet. there is no imediate need for Troops
and I think we will stay here till the Regiment is
well drilled before we leave, and there is a very strong
impression that we will not leave here at all but be sent
home very soon I dont say this to bouy you up for it
is the impression of a great many here.

Dugan is getting along finely his company is Quartered
within 50 yards of mine and I see him very often
he has been working at this trade ever since he came here
making the trappings for the Field officers horses I think
they [word missing] him $250 per day. he seems in fine spirits and is getting
along finely he has a letter from Bob Hubbard, this
morning and will answer it shortly.

I have seen all of our brothers but James he is in North
Carolina but is daily expected to get back, none of
them are volunteers Tom talks of joining my company
and going with us if we leave.

John Vandiver is getting finely but as he is also
writing I need not send any particulars about him as
he will send his family all the news about the matter.
Give my kindest Regards to all the people and tell
them we are getting along finely plenty to eat, and
drink, water here is plenty and good.

To convince you that I am not forgetting to eat.
I have eat up all the provisions which I brought from
home and a good deal more. If you have a good supply
of eggs on hand send me down (by the train) as many as
you can and some butter and a loaf of bread or so.
we get plenty of Bacon and Beef here but you know
I never was very fond of that. send me an uncooked
ham to fry for Breakfast, if we stay much longer here I am
coming up for a day or two. if I can get away it

I must now close as my paper is nearly cut and also
the time for mailing. I will be anxious to here from
you again. Kiss maggie for me, and believe me ever
your Devoted Husband William [Anderson]