White Cottage
Feb. 21.
My own darling Nate,
I am now at Mrs. Mumford, came up yesterday to meet you but was much disappointed when they told me that you would not come until to day, so how much more disappointed to day when they tell me that you are not to come at all, or not until you take up all of the iron on St. Simons. In your dear letter, however, that I got today, Friday, you said that you would come either today or tomorrow, and I am in hopes that you will come tomorrow, although I shall go to Thorn Hall this evening and shall remain there until you write me word that you will be in Waynesville for certain on such a day.
Mrs. Mumford and I rode over to the tank yesterday evening and found a beautiful place on that nice large hill for your company to encamp; it will be healthy there, and there are two nice springs where your men can have nice water and it will be so much more private for you all, and for your wives and other friends that would like to visit you there, and in a word, it will be much more desirable than any other place about here. Capt. Atkinson spoke of you all tenting by Olivers, but it is very low and damp there in wet weather, and no good water, no private place for your men to go and it is too near the hospital and the dram shop; the other place is plenty near for you to walk and get the news at any time. You know where I mean, the old camp ground and besides all that there is a small house there that will be soon vacant, that any of us can come and spend the night with you at any time. You must think of all this and write me, my darling by tomorrow's mail when you are coming.
I am so glad that Col. Style's regiment has been ordered back from Sav. It was very considerate in you my sweet boy not leaving me now for a fight, just wait until I get over my troubles and then I can bear it better. You don't know how excited it made me to see those poor soldiers go yesterday to Sav., how much more so if you had been with them. Make haste and get through with the Island and come to your own,
Loulie.
P.S. Mr. Mumford joins me in love to the Lieut. They expected an attack on Sav. all last night, and kept Mrs. Carry up at the wire all night but the Yankees did not trouble them.