1861 August 22 The Island [Nelson County, Va.?]

My Beloved Husband

I was a little disappoint
-ed this morning, at not hearing from you, and
earnestly hope you were not prevented by sick-
ness, from writing. The mails are so irregu-
lar, that, to that reason,I may ascribe the
caise, and then I have no reason to com
plain, for you have written so often that
I had no right to expect a letter by
this mornings mail--I fear my own
precious husband that you have found
camp life very disagreeable for it
has been raining for nearly a week
& it must have been very damp in
a tent--I greatly fear its effect on
your health and at the first sym-
tom of indisposition you must leave
& come home--Remember dearest
you promised so todo before you
left--I received a sweet letter from
our dear mother this morning
written nearly a week ago--She is

[page 2]
very dear to me my Philip
and I shall go bac to her soon with
a heart overflowing with love &
tenderness--She says you sister
is much better--riding out, and
the rest of the family well--I also
received a most kind & affection
ate letter from you aunt Sallie
asking me to call to see her
on my return which I hope to
do if you mother concludes to
meet me there--I want you to
write me & to her (I mean
mother) when you think you
can come home, so that we may
know how to make our ar-
rangements--Your coming is the
beacon light which cheers me
on & keeps my poor heart from
sinking--Oh if you knew how
I long to see ou, --but it is well
that you do not for it would only
make our seperation harder for
you to bear--When will this agony
be over--Alas! none can tell and
there seems an eternity of suspense still to

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to be endured--Mother writes
me my own precious Philip is
faring very badly now and hardly
has the neasessaries [sic] of life--
tell me what you have to live on
when you write and if there is much
sickness in our army--Everyone who
comes up from R-d tells us that
hundreds of soldiers are daily
being sent up to Manassas
Won't you tell me in your next
how large a force you as far as
you can ascertain we have
there--I feel perfectly convin-
ced that all this is but a prelude
to an advance and what the re-
sult of that move may be non
can tell--Alex & V. are still
here but speak of going down in
about a week [word lined through] Alex
improves very slowly and I
dont think he will be aable to
go back to the army--He is
going down to try and get a place
in Genl Toomb's staff.

[page 4]
I have nothing new or interesting
to write about & will not pain
you by dwelling on my own
sad thoughts--I am quite
well and take care of myself
as you desired--Luna & Char-
lie send a gread deal of love to
you--It is realy touching to see
how Luna tries to cheer me
She is constantly doing some
little act to show her affection
and says "Tell brother Phil I am
too thankful he let you stay here
with me" She and Charley ar my
constant companions & sweet little
comfortaers they are--All the neigh
bors have been most kind in com
ing to see me but I have been no
where except to see my old grand
mother--Farewell for the present
my own loved Philip I will write
again by the next mail & hope
to hear from you soon--May God
in His mercy bless & protect you
is the constant prayer of your
devoted wife J[ulia].C[alvert].B[olling]. Cabell

MSS 38-111