Dark Entry
Sept. 15, 1862
My own dearest Louly,
I have received two dear letters from you since I have written you one. It was not because I did not feel inclined to write you, but from the simple fact I got entirely out of paper. I went to Thorn Hall and looked everywhere for the paper you told me of, but could not find it. I also stole off and paid a visit to White Oak to see how things looked down there. It seems that Miss Anderson (daughter of the old man who stayed at 'Tom's' place) went to White Oak before Mr. Hornes got down there. After gratifying her curiosity in all the unlocked rooms, went upstairs and raised a window and went into our room and tore down all the covering from the bureau, bedstead, and washstand. I fixed it up as good as I could but the wet weather had caused the furniture to mould badly. I received a very unsatisfactory letter from 'Carry Copeland' the other day. She says Henry Copeland and myself have lost eight negroes in the last six weeks with typhoid fever [1], but did not say how many of ours had died or what ones.
I think I shall have to move both whites and blacks back here for health. I believe this is the only real healthy county in the state. I have not heard of but one case of sickness down here in a month, and that was a case of inflammation of the bowels caused from cold.
We are having quite a storm down here. It commenced last night about dark and I hope it will blow some of the Lincoln ships aground. We had quite an exciting time down here on day before yesterday with the Yankees and Capt. Readdicks' black point pickets. They came up in their boats from Fernandina, and surrounded the house the pickets were in. All the picket, fifteen in number, were asleep but one. The Yankees landed at an unexpected point and took them in the rear. They took Malcolm Crawford and Nat Thomas prisoners. The rest of them made their escape good to the camp, but they had to run twenty miles in their shirt-tails, bare headed and footed. Quite a ridiculous sight. One poor fellow they got cut off from escaping by land, so he being a good swimmer plunged into the river and swam a mile across to my picket on this side. He said he preferred the sharks to the Yankees. They fired thirteen times at him as he ran, but fortunately did not succeed in hitting him. Some of the picket killed three Yankees before they stampeded. I am very sorry they got hold of Crawford. Mrs. C. is very much grieved for her husband. He told one of Dr……negroes to tell her the Yankees had got him but not to be alarmed.
What do you think darling, I was handed a letter a few days ago from W.D. Seymour. He was in the hospital at Lynchburg. Says he has walked over half the state of Virginia, has been in four big battles, and is most heartily tired of that place. Wants me to get him transferred to my Company, but I fear unless I can get him and office it will be a fruitless effort. I have this day petitioned the War Department to allow me to raise another Company. If I succeed in obtaining the order I will try and get Will an office in it. Hopkins has made up another Company. He will be mustered in on the 20th of this month. I asked him where his headquarters would be and he said, "in the saddle"; but I will bet a bit he makes them in fifty yards of his house.
You many look for Henry about a week from now. He has not decided what day he will leave but I expect he will start about next Thursday. I want you to get me some cloth and have me a pair of pantaloons made at old Kilbys. I would prefer blue, but if you can't obtain that, get gray. I want a pair of fine pants. I have a plenty of common but no fine. Aunty says she wants you and her to go down to White Oak and keep house. I told her I would leave it to you. So far as I was concerned I had no objections. She thinks it will be more pleasant on account of fire, and says Cornelia Tupper will come down and help you keep house. I will send you money by Henry if I can get it to pay your way home and pay for my pants. They won't pay out any more money from the Government until they issue the new bills. I expect Henry will be ready to start back about the 7th or 8th of next month, so you had better make your arrangements to accompany him.
I don't think I will ever give my consent for you to leave me again unless you had derived more benefit by the trip than you have by your stay in Marietta. I was afraid when you went it would prove a failure. If I can ever get you home I will get Dr. Byrd to treat your case. I have more faith in him than in all the new fangled -isms of the present day.
Darling your letters were full of good advice to your darling Nate. I can assure you, precious wife, they were read more than once and pondered with. You ask one question I am sorry I can't agree with you on viz. "Can't you pray harder when your wife is away sick and you in trouble, than you can when quietly fondling with your baby, and your wife lying by your side?" No! when you are away and I go to pray I forget who I am praying to, and first thing I know I find myself looking to you as the absent Diety, and ask the mercies of you. However, darling, I do try to pray and never go to bead until I have commended my dear absent ones into the fatherly care of our Blessed Master. Goodbye my precious one. Write soon to you devoted husband.
Nate.
Witter is down here and he and Henry join in love to all.
[1] typhoid fever - Typhoid fever is an infection caused by a strain of bacteria called Salmonella typhii, which is related to the bacteria that causes salmonella food poisoning. Typhoid is very contagious and is easily spread through contaminated food or water. Unless treated, this infection can have life threatening consequences. The first effective vaccine for typhoid was developed by Almroth Edward Wright and was introduced for military use in 1896. This made a significant improvement to the health of soldiers at war, who were more likely to be killed by typhoid than in combat at that time.