March 22nd, 1863

Stafford Course House, Va, March 22d 1863

Dear loved Wife,

I have finished my morning work and as usual on sundays I set myself to the agreeable task, of writing to you. I wonder what I should do if this privilege were denied me. I have passed many pleasant hours in writing you poor letters for I knew you would think they were good if they brought good tidings from me, but I have feared sometimes that I should be a little tedious for I know that I have not the wit to make a letter entertaining that you have, but as charity covers a multitude of sins, so your partially makes up for all deficiencies in that respect.

When I wrote you last I was in an awfull hurry to get ready for a review so that I hardly know what I wrote but I thought I would write enough to let you know that I was well for fear you might be anxious about me, but you must not think, because you don’t get a letter that anything is wrong, for it may often hapen so that I cannot write at the usual time or if I do you may not get my letters.

There is a strong probability that this army will move in a very few days and if they do they will move to some purpose, it will be no boys play you may bet. I have seen Gen Hooker on review and I think he is just the man to put life and enthusiasm into his men, and I know he means business.

As we are the last reserves I think we shall be left to guard the roads over which the suplies for the army must pass, in that case we shall do no fighting unless we are attacked, but it is useless for me to speculate on what may hapen when a few weeks at the most will decide the fate of this army, the air is allready murky with evidences of the coming storm and after it has broken I trust we shall hear the shout of victory, mingled with praises to God who alone giveth the victory. It seems to me that this war is to be ended in a few months and that the most of the fighting will be done in four weeks it don’t seem hardly posible that the four armies of the union now within reaching distance of the enimy, will wait much longer before they open the ball.

I believe the contractors and other rascals that have lived on the Government begin to think uncle Sam, is geting too poor to be robed much longer and will not put many more obsticles in the way of a forward movement.

The health of this reget.¹ is as good now as it has been since we came out. Brainard has gone to Falmouth on a pass I think it is the first pass he has asked for since we left New Haven. Joel is asleep on the bed and is snoring finely. Ace is reading and Willis has gone to post a letter. If I mail this letter today I have got to cut it short.

I received your letter writen last sabbath² enclosing one directed to Saly Curtis which I appropriated for my own use and as a consequence had light pancakes for breakfast. I was much pleased with the contents of your letter (I mean the writen contents) it was as a shadow of a great rock in the desert giving rest and comfort to the weary, but I would rather you would write with poor ink than use a pencil, the marks rub out so that after carying a letter a few days you can’t read it but you can use what you like only send the letter and I will be satisfied if they are writen with charcoal. Brainard has not got his box yet I hope it will get here before the stuff spoils, you need not bother about sending me any blacking I can use what I want of the Capt’s. My boots suit me much better than the others did.

Mr. Martin³ got a letter from Cynthia Dickerman last night it was full of news, among other things it says Willis Muller⁴ is about to take a wife from the house of Bradley⁵, she thinks Hamden will hardly be big enough to hold the couple, I suppose that depends upon how fast they grow.

You may tell Ellen Perkins that you were mistaken about the kisses for I lacked just one of having enough to last me, six months, tell Cynthia she is such a good hand to write letter I hope she will keep up a correspondence with this Company.

Tell Liby Peck I am waiting very anxiously for that letter. Give my love to all friends, mother in particular, and much love and many kisses for you and our darling.

As ever your devoted husband

C A Burleigh