| 1865-06-03 | Camp near Alexandria, Va. |
| Camp 45th Regt P.V.V. Near Alexandria, Va June 3rd 1865 Dear Parents Your most welcome letter of the 26th came to hand this evening and l was glad to hear from you. I have only rec'd one letter from you but have written 6 or 7 to you. They must have miscarried or you would have rec'd them. This has been a very warm day. We have been out on review, that is our Division. We were reviewed by Genl Parks Commanding Corps. It is a review every other day or as often as the Officers can manage to get out. The weather is so warm that it is impossible to stand the fatigue of a review every fair day. The report of the Vetrans remaining in service is true. There is no prospect of our getting away from this place very soon though I do not but what we may get away from here, but as to getting home I think it doubtful. There has been some talk of our getting paid off some time before long but no signs of it yet. I have no news to communicate that will interest you. I want to answer yours and Annie's letters both this evening for I suppose we will not have time to answer anything tomorrow before inspection. I think there will be monthly inspection for it is the first Sunday in the month. Just one year this evening since we had come or rather darkness broke off our fighting and it was one of the hardest fought battles of the last summer's campaign. George Rexford will long remember it. He lost his leg there and many poor fellows bit the dust, but I hope that work is done and I believe it to be well done. I do not think the South could raise fifty thousand men to save their lives. I hope there will be no more trouble on account of the rebelion but Davis will swing and all others who deserve it. President Johnson is firm as an administrator and he declares all traitors must suffer the penalty of treason. I hope he will include both North and South. I would like to see some of those Northern Copperheads go up for the help they have given the rebels during this war. I guess the prospects of my getting home to help do the haying very poor so if you have a good oppertunity to let that grass on the hill you had better do it. Just as you see fit. You know best what to do as you are at home. Mow or pasture it just as you like. It will make but little difference to me as I shall not probably get home, but I must close hoping to hear from you soon. Again my best wishes to all, preserving the greater share for yourselves. Good night. your ever Affectionate Son J .D. Strait | |