1862 July 30 Camp at White House Farm

                                           Camp at White House Farm
                                                July 30th 1862

I received last night, my darling, your letter dated the 25th
and it was most welcome to me.  It had been so long
since once of your dear letters came that I was fear-
-ful some sickness had prevented you from
writing.                The barrel of ham was brought
safely to me.  I have had one cooked & find it
very nice.                              I notice all you say in
reference to the messages from Maria concerning the
employment of the overseers &c.  I wish I could visit
you & Cumberland & make the arrangements for working
the plantations another year, but I dont see that
it is possible.  You must write Maria that she
will have to make the bargains.  I will try &
write to her to day.  If under other circumstances I
could procure leave of absence yet  I cannot
while Col. Goode is sick, & I am in command of
the Regiment ask for it.  I heard yesterday that
he had a leave of absence for thirty days & wd
start for home this morning.
     I have money in Petersburg, & so soon as I
can learn the amount, & I will write them to day,
& will send a check which you will please
deliver to Col. Baskervill.
                               I trust your fears as to our
means of subsistence failing will prove ground-
-less, but one of the most serious apprehensions

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I have had  is as to the difficulty of feeding our
army.  I hope for the best & think our country
ought to be able to sustain the men who will be in
the field for her defence. As to the time when the
war will end I do not think however sagacity can fix
a period to it.  We can only trust in God & do our duty.
                        You say if I am again in camp near
Richmond & write you a letter of tender entreaty
you may come to see me, & unless I need you
very much I must take care how I write. Darling, I do
need you: never did an infant need its mother, never did
the eye need light, never did the body need food, more
than I need you, my own, my precious wife.  I some
-times feel as though I was famishing for need
of you, and I know you cannot refuse my earnest
cry and will come to my piteous call.
                 So soon as I collect my pay for the time
now due me I will try to send you four hundred
dollars.  I send enclosed some pictures
of Genl McClellan brought here by the
Yankees that may amuse the children.
      Kiss Mary & Alice for me & tell them
I love them very dearly.  Kiss the children
for me.  Love to Mrs Riddle.  Remember
me to the servants.
                I have written in the midst of
constant interruptions.  Farewell, my
darling wife.  I kiss you most fondly, & pray
God that he will at all times watch over & protect
     & guide aright you & myself & our children
                                  Yr affec husband
                                       John T. Thornton

John T. Thornton, University of Virginia alumnus, lawyer and Captain, Co. K, 3rd Virginia Cavalry


MSS 4021