The Civil War Letters Suffolk Virginia August 24, 1862

Suffolk Va Aug 24th 1862

My Dear Wife

i received your kind letter on friday and i was very glad to hear that you was still injoying good health as it leaves me at present  things about here continue pretty much the same  down here as usal all is quiete at present and we have no news whatever for you can hear more news at Phila than we can though the papers arrive here evry day but they are two days old when we get them  i suppose there is plenty of excitement in Philadelphia just now or will be when they Begin to Draft  i would like to see some of the stand Backs Brought out in the Field  i think it would do some of them a little good

i was very glad to hear that Mary Jane Wadsworth has got Married for i think she has been a Maid long enough  i think that her husband who ever he is will have a big arm full to go to Bed with  but as you say i suppose they are well matched

the Red and Black (shirt) which you sent me is very pretty and just suites me  it looks firstrate and the Drawers also are just the thing though the weather is rather to hot for them just now.

i am glad to hear that Lizzie is doing so well and that you are well but i am afraid you will over work your self by going to the Milll again  if you do go to work you must be careful not to over work your self and get sick  for Maggie nothing would greave me more then to hear of you being sick  so you just take good care of your self for i expect to get home sometime for i think i can live this war through though time passes very slowly  but the time will come yet for this war will not last always  i think you will have a bussy time with the Baby but i think the time will soon come when we will injoy life at our ease  at any rate i can live in hopes for the best.  Dear Wife  i often think of the happy meeting we will have when this war is over and i come home  and i do hope it will be before long

i think there will be a smash some where this fall or winter  i think one or the other will have to Knock under for things cannot stand long with such large Armies in the Field  and the sooner it comes the better for i long once more to be at home with my wife and to see my pretty Daughter  i would like to see Lizzie very much for i think she must be a very pretty child

i think this is all i have to write at present  i have no news to send

Give my best Respects to your Mother   Sister Jane and all the Family and all inquiring Friends  and Remember me to my Fathers family if you should see any of them  this is all at present

From Your Affectionate Husband
William Lancaster

Back to Subgroup          Next Letter in Group