| 1864-09-18 | Camp 45th Regt P.V.V. |
| Camp 45th Regt P.V.V. Sept. 18th, 1864 Dear Mother Your most welcome letter of the 9th inst came to hand this morning and I hasten to answer. I do not think you forgot me because you do not write oftener. I know that your duties are so heavy that it leaves you but little time to attend to other matters, but I am always glad to hear from you from your own hand. I always prize letters from home more than all the rest I receive. I have no news of importance to communicate at present. Everything is going on in the usual routine. This is the Sabbath. Oh how I would like to be at home this afternoon. It would seem so clever to sit down and have a good chat with Dear Friends once more. I mean to try if they give any furlows this fall or winter to go home but one might as well spend money that way as any other. It is raining a little this afternoon which makes the weather seem dull and dreary. We have had but little rain here this fall so far. The army is lying comparatively inactive now but we are far from being idle. There are RR and wagon roads to be constructed and the Soldiers have to work upon them and the fortifications day and night but the fatigue duty is rather lighter now than what it was a few weeks ago for our fortifications are nearly all complete. I saw several of the boys from the 187 Regt a few days ago. Henry Foot is in Penna now sick or at the Hospital. D.W. Ruggles is not very well. Dan's health has not been the best since he came out. I received a letter from Cousin Ella this morning. The people were all well on the 12th of this month when she wrote. I would like it if I were out of service. I would go along to Uncle Luke to Knoxville. I would like to see the place again where they came so near starving us out. I think a trip around those old places when the war is over would do one good, then if one were at liberty now he could make money by going there to work. I could do better than Uncle Luke for I would know where to go speculate and make money but money is no bother to me now while in service and when I get out I think I can make a living very well, but I guess I have written about as much as you can read in one evening unless it is plainer than this. Please write often as convenient to your unworthy but ever Affectionate Son J.D. Strait Mrs. Julania Strait | |