1861 Nov[ember] 26 Camp near Centreville

My precious darling
I am up this morning before day-
light & before Reville [sic], Simply because I was
too cold to sleep. I cant stand sleeping by
myself and I wont stand it! The fact is
I cant sleep. Jennie darling I am like you
this war has lasted long enough and I think
it high time something was being done
to close accounts. I cant help feeling
freted this morning. I did not want to get
out of bed but it had to be done or freeze
and then I could not help thinking
how nice & sweet & warm my Jennie is
at this moment & what a nice warm place
she has just by her side for me and then
I think of her last letter to me begging, intrea
ting and commanding me to come to her
Oh my dear precious wife you know
not how I long to see you. how I constantly
day & night am thinking of you and la-
menting the necessity which keeps me
from you. Often & often I imagine my-
self with [you] & actually carry on a long
conversation with you. You certainly
cant Realize H how deeply & truly I
love you as you would not blame me
for our Separations - Could I help it
I would not be away from you a day
and you certainly know it, for you cant
be ignorant of the depth & strength & might
of my love - to me every part of you is pre-
cious and you have never at any moment

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from your pretty little feet to the top of your
head appeared in any other light than that
of a perfect beauty and you know it. And
when Ned says you dont look pretty he
is just simply a goose, and you may
tell him so for me. And you be patient
darling – I know the temper of my Genls and
know when to ask for a furlough and I
assure you that I am confident of being
with you in a week if my life is spared.
Yesterday all the troops in the army
were assigned to their Respective positions
in the line of battle if one is ever fought
here. this is of course necessary to be done
before any of us leave here for Winter Quar
ters in order to avoid confusion if sudonly [sic]
called back to meet the enimy. We as
usual compose the Reserve. A great many
of the troops are now engaged in constructing
huts for winter - we are not & hence we
expect to be moved to some other locality.
Tell Tim Papa says he must not be affraid [sic]
to go to war. he must take his gun and
go by himself & let Mama & papa stay
at home with Sister - I have no Rimidy [sic]
to offer for Meazles [sic] except that the bowells [sic]
must be kept open & the patient kept
warm & dry. I hope the children may
escape at least until spring-
write to me darling every day until
I say meet me at the depot and be a
dear good sweet girl as you are when
you dont threaten to shoot folks.
Most affectionatly ETHW

[transcription by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g