1861 August 9 Culpeper C.H. [Virginia]

My Dear Creek

I came to this place
this morning with Passes I have not
been very well for a few days, nothing
serious the matter however only fatigues
and exposure and for your sake only
I have left my company for a few days
and come to this place, where I can get
rest and nourishment for a few days, till
I recruit my strength, I expect to join the
Regt again in the course of a week or probably
sooner, I will not do so however unless I feel
perfectly recovered, as there is not much
doing in camp at present and they can
get along very well without me.

I am very comfortably fixed here have every
thing I want, and more attention paid
to me than I care about, but it is very gratifying
to see everyone trying to contribute their aid

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and assistance to the sick and wounded
Now dont infer from this that I am
at all sick, your father will tell you I
am not, I am merely almost worn out
with hard duty and all I need is
a little rest, which I am enjoying here
to my perfect satisfaction

I should have sent you this by Papa but
I had not time to write it before he left this
place and C. W. Brown told me he was going
in the morning and, I could send it by
him, he will most likely be home as soon as
Papa, I sent you two letters since the Battle
which I hope you have received, their is a great
deal of sickness in camps at present, but
I hope it will soon all be over with and the
troops again restored to their usual health
I shall endeavour to comply with your
wishes and struggle hard to get back to
you again, to see and meet with the loved
ones at home once more is the stay and hope
of the soldier and more particularly to the
soldier Husband and Father. Oh Creek

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my poor imagination sometimes pictures
such happy scenes at home for us in future
that I fancy I am already enjoying them,
and am often made to feel that it is only
a temporary delusion by the stern call
of duty, But Dear Creek let us hope for the
best; the same kind Providence still guides
us, and putting our trust in him we have
little to fear, I told Pap to tell you get me
a Palmetto Star, for the side of my hat and
make a roseatt of your hair about the size
of a quarter dollar and put in the centre of it;
send me again the locks of Maggies and your
hair, they are in the back of the likeness that
I sent you by W. D. Wilkes. I never thought of
them when I gave him the pictures, and I
should like to have them again, as Pa will
give you all the news I need not say more,
Kiss our little darling for me and tell
her Papa loves her and often thinks of
her, I will write you again soon and let you
know how I improve.
Your affectionate Husband William

4th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers (Palmetto Sharpshooters)
MSS 10366