1862 January 19

My dear Mother

You can not well con-
ceive the pleasure I had in
receiving your & father's letter
last Friday. They always give
me intense pleasure. But the ad-
ditional pleasure I often think
no one ever had such a father
as I have. I received at the
same time a letter from Miss
McKenney & Duprey containing
10 dollars & 12 stamps. I am sorry
you gave yourself the trouble
of sending more stamps as
I had procured some. You also sent five dollars more than
I wrote for. I think I
told you the last time
I wrote that I had moved

[p. 2]
into my house. It is much
more confortable than a
tent. The weather up here had
been very bad for some
time. I do not think the
Yankees could make an ad-
vance this weather, unless
they kept on a pike. The
army up here had gone
into winter quarters. Some
sixteen of our company have
been moved over to a fort
closely [closeby?]. Three out of my hut
was moved with them
so that there are only
two of us in the hut
now. Except three who are
staying with us until they
build a house, wh: I think
they are nearly done.
I have been confined to my

[p. 3]
tent several days with mu-
mps. That is I have no
doubt it was mumps. There
has been a case of mumps
in camp about long
enough before I was sick
for me to take it. Dr. Pal-
mer at first did not think
it was mumps. I believe he
does now however. If it was it
was quite a mild case. Both
jaws were swollen just un-
der the ears. Not much tho'
My head felt quite badly & still
does tho not quite as much.
The swelling is gone having
lasted two or t three or four days.
I had constant difficulty in
keeping my back & shoulders
warm ^'& still have at times.' I had also a good
deal of fever. I think I am

[p.4]
nearly well. I took calomel
once only - And once some of Ayre's
Pills, for the latter I am very
much obliged to you. I have
received them twice. You in-
quire after the box you sent:
I thought I told you that
nothing whatever was inju-
red. All was in the best or-
der. give my love to Mrs. Smith.
Tell her I sends this order think-
ing it might be of benefit to
her. What did you all think
of Pollard & Hagan's John.
What Mr. Dickinson said about
Miss Maria & the flowers was
only to please me or you all one
I reckon. Oh how I wish to-
morrow was the day for
me to get a letter from you.
Tell George I sincerely hope he
may never have the hardships

[written in the top margin on page 4:]
of a soldier to undergo. Lan writes
in rather bad spirits tho' he says
he is cheerful & in fine spirits. I re-

[written in the top margin on page 1:]
ceived a few days ago a letter
from cousin Loa. she is truly
an excellent woman. I think

[written in the top margin on page 2:]
you & father judge --hardly. what
did Mort Chumney say about it?
Poor Charles Jones: What a sad sad

[written in the top margin on page 3:]
death. God grant he was better
prepared than he was thought. I do
not feel like stopping but must. My
best love to the kindest of fathers, dear

[written between the lines on page 3:]
dear little George & remember me
most kindly to Miss Emily.
Your Devoted son,
W.H. Perry Jr.

University of Virginia alumnus Dr. William Price Palmer [1821-1896] served as physician to the Howitzers, and later was a writer on historical topics. Another family split by the war, his father, the merchant Charles Palmer was a well known unionist who was briefly held in "Castle Godwin."

[Transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 7786-d