Culpeper Aug 26th 1863

My Dear Dear Wife,

I received this morning your note enclosing letters announcing the death of my dear sister, my little playfellow and companion whose nature once chimed so with my own & who always was all love and affection towards me tinged with jealousy lest I might love some one else more than herself.  I was prepared for her death, I felt when I heard of her sickness that she would not recover, & I may say I expected the intelligence.  I never received intelligence of the death of one so near & dear to me with less grief.  I felt that she was so much happier and better off than when in this world of pain & sorrow.  I never felt that she could be happy under the circumstances surrounding her.  What was the name of her youngest child?  I have often said that Providence gave Sister Mary no children in order that she might be a mother to the motherless. I hoped to see Vic again but it was not so ordered by the Great disposer of human affairs.  Try and get a good picture of her for me.  Sister Lummie died the same way.  Does any one ever hear of Mr Chevalier’s family?  Can you hear whether David Pierce (Mary) is a promising lad.  He is nearly 18 years of age.  How old I am getting!  that boy was on my knee when I felt I was a man.

I am surprised to hear you receive no letters from me.  It seems to me I write very often, certainly twice a week, and I suppose they will all arrive in time to come.  When you dont hear you may rest assured all is well, for bad news travels with lightning speed.

I was so fortunate as to recover My Maryland the other day, he was looking pretty well.  Virginia is recruiting at Sandy Stuart’s, and Lily of the Valley having had an addition to her family is still at Wm Overton’s in Louiza.  So now I have Star of the East only, & Maryland whose back is Sore.  The Light fantastic too was left broken down in Maryland.  The horse I had killed at Funkstown was a captured horse.

Major Von Borcke was here a few days ago, looking well.  I do hope the President will promote him to a Brigadiership & send him to Prussia for a few months.  A.S. Smith is in command at Paducah.  Buford has gone on three months leave.  I am very busy with my reports.  You must employ yourself with your scrap book.  take more papers, send to West & Johnston for the London Illustrated News with me in it & my camp at the Bower.  Interest yourself in absent friends and induce correspondence.  How I would like to have you on my knee as I write, just as I used to.  The town of Laurence Kansas was burned by the Confederates the other day.  Pendleton Goggins came.  I was kind, and recommended him for a cadetship, but could not take him as vol aid.  I send some pictures.  Be sure to keep Von B’s & Farley’s for me.  [illegible]

PS. I sent by Mrs Tilden the soap-paper [?] & my gold spurs – many thanks for the cakes [several faded words]

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