Centreville Feb’y 26th 1862
My Darling Wife;
It is rainy gloomy & muddy – Jno Esten arrived this afternoon
from Horse Artillery. About the time of his arrival I received
your favor of Feb’y 23d. Col Steuart has not yet
arrived. Kirby Smith has gone to Knoxville. Leaves a
vacancy in the Major Generals here. My Cavalry is not sufficient
now for its work, & I was sorry to hear of the order for
Ransom’s Regt to go to Suffolk. Send me a Va Regt in its
place and I shant complain. I dont think I ever wanted to see you
quite as bad as I now do. I reckon it is well for you not to know
how much I think of & dote on you, and instead of causing me to
think of furlough it rivets me to front, & makes me anxious to end
this war & then if my continuance in service entails separation
from you, “Othello’s occupation” may go to the dogs
– I’ll try somebody’s else. I cant write more
for the mail closes – try & dont excuse yourself when my
special friends come to see you, it is a bad habit. I have
written to you frequently.
Love & Kisses to ours. Withers I believe is what we long ago
suspected. Have as little to do with him as possible.
Yours Ever
JEBS.