1861 Dec[ember] 8 Yorktown

My darling wifey

I dont see how I can
better spend a portion of this sunday
afternoon than in dropping you a few
lines--I hope to receive from you on
tomorrow evening a long letter, telling
me something of yourself--your
letters lately have been very short
and speak of anything but yourself
To set you a good example, I will
state that I am still in Yorktown
and am better satisfied than when
I first came up--I have made
the acquaintances of a good many
officers and not having much to
do, I manage to get along quite
comfortable--the weather is bright
and remarkably warm and if I
only had my darling wifey with
me, I dont think I would ask
much more--but I hope we will
soon be united in a more agreeable
place than this.

[page 2]
Genl Rains in command of the post
is making a prodigious fuss about
what is generally considered nothing.
He is of opinion that Yorktown will
be attacked by water in less than
forty eight hours--he has moved all
the guns from the land side to the
water side, he has stopped granting
furloughs and he has recalled all
officers and men who are absent.
Besides him, nobody else is uneasy.
My tent is on a hill overlooking
the river and directly behind a
high breast work without any guns
I am also between two hospitals
so that even if Yorktown is attacked
I will be quite safe--The river from
where my tent is situated, is beautiful
and this evening is as smooth as
glass as far as the eye can reach.
Away down on the horizon I can
see one of the enemy's ships--in fact
this hill is Genl Rains
observatory.
I shall keep you advised of all
passing events--write often and
believe me your devoted

Husband

MSS 9380