| Article Index |
|
Civil War Letters
|
|
March 17, 1862
|
|
March 18, 1862
|
|
March 24, 1862
|
|
March 30, 1862
|
|
April 12, 1862
|
|
April 18, 1862
|
|
April 27, 1862
|
|
April 30, 1862
|
|
May 4, 1862
|
|
May 5, 1862
|
|
May 10, 1862
|
|
May 18, 1862
|
|
May 19, 1862
|
|
May 20, 1862
|
|
May 25, 1862
|
|
May 27, 1862
|
|
May 30, 1862
|
|
June 4, 1862
|
|
June 9, 1862
|
|
June 11, 1862
|
|
June 30, 1862
|
|
July 7, 1862
|
|
July 14, 1862
|
|
July 15, 1862
|
|
July 17, 1862
|
|
July 25, 1862
|
|
July 29, 1862
|
|
July 31, 1862
|
|
August 2, 1862
|
|
August 9, 1862
|
|
August 12, 1862
|
|
August 14, 1862
|
|
August 18, 1862
|
|
August 21, 1862
|
|
August 25, 1862
|
|
August 29, 1862
|
|
September 5, 1862
|
|
September 12, 1862
|
|
September 22, 1862
|
|
September 17, 1862
|
|
October 18, 1862
|
|
September 21, 1862
|
|
September 27, 1862
|
|
September 29, 1862
|
|
October 1, 1862
|
|
October 1862
|
|
October 7, 1862
|
|
October 12, 1862
|
|
October 19, 1862
|
|
October 26, 1862
|
|
November 2, 1862
|
|
November 11, 1862
|
|
November 11, 1862
|
|
November 15, 1862
|
|
November 16, 1862
|
|
November 23, 1862
|
|
November 26, 1862
|
|
Obituary
|
|
Eulogy
|
|
Rivers and Rails
|
|
Smith Genealogy
|
|
More Information
|
|
All Pages
|
Page 32 of 63
Decatur, Alabama
Tuesday morn. August 12, 1862
My Dear Wife:-
What was your expectations and hopes of the future, eleven years ago today? Do you remember that today is the anniversary of our wedding? Eleven year ago today at 5 o’clock P.M. we was married. What a life of happiness we had pictured in our imaginations then, how little did we then expect that there would now be war in our then happy country? Then how little did we expect that I would be engaged in the war? How little did you think that you would be left with a family of five children or one, two or three years while I was alive? You did not then think that you would be virtually a widow while I was alive; yet such is really the case. It is true I can assist you with my advice and counsel, but as to seeing me, it is almost impossible unless you come to see me.
I now believe however that when the troops now called for, gets into the field, the war will be brought to a speedy close. Yet it may possibly be prolonged for one, two, three or more years.
I was surprised the day before yesterday when John Bell came to the door of my tent, and I was more surprised when I saw that Albert was with him. They was examined yesterday morning by the post surgeon and in the evening they was sworn into the service of Captain McDonald.
Quartermaster Fredrick told me he would pay you a visit within five or six weeks.
I sent the carpet sack to you with a cartridge box of some of the different kinds of cartridges, some weaving quills, my old mittens, 1 pair of bullet molds picked up close to Corinth. They are of no particular value but you will take care of them as mementoes.
I did not expect to see John M. Hamilton looking so well. I wish William Arnold was well and with us, but I fear it will be some time before he gets here.
I am glad that you sent me the two dollars worth of paper and postpaid envelopes.
I received your letter of the 24th to 29th and the one of the 4th by John Bell. Also the four papers, thank you. Good bye.
William A. Smith
|
Civil War Letters
