1862 April 27 Camp Bryan

Day before yesterday an order was issued to hold elections
to reorganize this 3rd Regiment of Virginia Cavalry.   In
my company Lieuts Stokes & Redd were not reelected.  I was
not present when the election was held, but was told
neither of them desired to be chosen to fill the
offices they had previously held.  They go home to-
-morrow morning and I embrace the opportunity, my
darling wife, to send you this letter.  In the reorganization
of the Regiment I was chosen Lieutenant Colonel.  this
promotion was unexpected but I shall accept it and
endeavour with all my powers to discharge its duties.
I pray God to give me the requisite skill and courage
for the position, that I may so bear myself in it as
to do good service to my country.
I received you letter of the 10th ult the day after
the one you wrote me the 20th was placed in my
hands.  In yours of the 16th you tell me of your
wish to dispose of Laura.  I answered at once, willingly
telling you to make sale of her,and to receive and
use the money as you thought proper.  I mention
this again here because I do not know when
you will receive the letter I wrote you by mail,
and I have a safe opportunity to send you this.
Day before yesterday I met with an
officer in an Alabama Regiment who told me
our acquaintance, Mr.s Judge when we knew her
but Mrs. Fall now, is at the Exchange Hotel in
Richmond, with her son in law Mr. Brooks and her
daughter Mrs. Brooks.  I record this fact here that
you may, if you feel strong enough, ask Mrs. Fall
to visit you.  I know, my own dear wife, how hardly
the duties you have to discharge must press upon
you, and I do not wish you to understand that I desire

[page 2]
you to extend this invitation to Mrs. Fall, unless
it would be perfectly agreeable and convenient
to you to do so.

I wish I could find expression, my own, true
darling wife, for the love I bear you. Though I
cannot find words to paint the feeling, yet I have
in my heart all the delight and joy it gives.  Through
every labor and privation it sustains and comforts
me.  If I am gloomy and de[s]ponding it cheers me.
The picture of you, dearest earthly treasure, my gentle,
loving wife, shines on me through all the darkness
that surrounds us, and in the far distant future
I can see you, through faith in the mercy of our Heavenly
Father, my earthly stay and solace.  I sometimes think that
I could not bear all I have passed through and
could not face all that is before me if you had
not filled my heart with this love.  It is not a little
more than two months since I saw you last.  When
we shall meet again face to face I cannot tell.
But, darling, you visit me when I wake and
when I sleep.  you come to me amid the bustle
of the camp: you steal to my side as the loud
roar of the cannon and the quick rattle of the
musketry breaks on the ear: you lie down by my
side in the canvas tent int he silence of night
and bless me with your kisses.
I have no news to write.  The armies are still
fronting each other and on this raw Sabbath day are,
so far as I can see, no nearer fighting than they were
three weeks ago.  When the battle does com I pray
earnestly, fervently, to the God of Battles to give us the
victory.  My love to Mrs Riddle.  Kiss the children for me.
Remember me to the Servants.  May God bless and shield you my
precious, darling wife, is the constant prayer of your devoted husband
John T. Thornton

John T. Thornton, Lieutenant Colonel, 3rd Virginia Cavalry

MSS 4021