1862 June 4 Two miles from Richmond, Va.

Camp two miles from Richmond,
Wednesday June 4th 1862

It is, my darling, a dark, dismal afternoon
now about 3 1/2 o'clock P.M. Heavy rains fell last
night and this morning, from which I was
poorly protected: but through all the
gloom of nature & the discomforts of weather
you sweet face, dearest, is shining on me.
I pine so to see you  that I am often tempted
to ask you to come to Richmond and re-
main a week that I might, after the
labors of the day, perhaps, have an
opportunity to leave the camp and
get by your side and feel your
lovely arms around me.  If for ex-
ample you had been in that City yesterday
and the day before I might have been with
you, darling, last night and the night before.
The temptation to ask you to come is almost
irresistible: what think you of it? Then I reflect
that I know not at what moment I may be
placed so far from the City that I would

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be unable to see you, and I know not what
day the fight may rage around the suburbs
and your ears be stunned, and your heart rent
by the thunders of the cannon and the
quick, sharp, ringing fire of the musketry.
Then, if disaster should befal our arms, which
God in His mercy avert, I know not how
you would escape from Richmond to your
home.  Yet despite all this, darling, I
can with difficulty restrain myself from
imploring you to come, so that perchance
I may see you, and trusting you may
escape all the terrific sights and scenes I
have mentioned--would you face all these dan-
gers? I am satisfied I ought not to request
you to leave home now; but it is sad to know
that I am in a mornings ride of you and
yet can't go to see you.  I hoped to receive
a letter from you to day, but the mail has
not been brought in. Our Quar-
ter Master, who usually brings our
letters from the Office, forgot most
provokingly to inquire today.

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The box with the ham, biscuit, bread,
pickle and stationery, was opened day before
yesterday and the contents, except paper and
envelopes, most enjoyed.  It was all in nice
order and to me, dearest, rendered most
delicious by the fact that you, my darling wife,
had prepared and sent them to me. Col. Goode,
Major Phillips, Er. Leigh & several others, with
myself, have enjoyed all you sent.  I will
ask you to send me some asparagus and
onions. I may be able to find butter to dress
the asparagus with, if I can have it cooked
by the wayside.   Put up a bottle of vinegar and a
little ground pepper to dress the onions with.
The paper & envelopes I thank you for. I
have to carry them in my coat pocket.
Dr. Lyle came to see me yesterday.  He ex-
-pressed his intention to wait 'til the battle was
over that he might render any service he
could.   I suppose he would have been out
here to day but for the inclement weather.
How do Willie & James get on with
their books? Tell them I think very often

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of them and trust they will be obedient to
you and industrious in their studies. I have
high hopes and expectations of our boys, and
it would be a mercy of God for which we should
pray dearest, that you and I may be spared
to see them grown to manhood and to use our
best exertions to lead them in the paths of
piety and honor.  I am glad to have such
a gratifying account of Frank's health as you
give me.  Do he and Dick play together now? Is
Harry still as smart as you used to think him?
  Every thing was quiet yesterday & to day
along our lines.  In fact the roads are so deep
with mud & water that it would be difficult
to move artillery.
                            I hate to part with you, my
darling, even in this intercourse of writing.
I seem to see you more vividly, to have you more
distinctly, before me when I am writing to you
then at other moments.  Poor shadow of real
intercourse with you, darling: unsubstantial
visions of you, dearest: but poor & unsub-
stantial as they are, Still comforting, con-
-soling & gratifying to my heart. Love, deep and
ardent, for you, my own lovely wife, is now
a part of my nature, entering into all my
thoughts and acts.  God preserve you to me
& me to you & both of us to one another
is my daily prayer.  Kiss me, tenderly and
long my sweet darling wife. Yr affec husband
                                          John T. Thornton

John Thruston Thornton, of the 3rd Virginia Cavalry, to  his wife Martha Jane Riddle Thornton.


MSS 4021