150 Years Ago (1864 4/20)

Brattleboro, April 20, 1864.

Dearest wife,-

I am well. You must have been alarmed by what I wrote. There has been nothing the matter with me except
some bad boils. I am glad that I wrote to you on Sunday, as you will see by that letter that I was well enough to be on duty. I have not yet been excused from it. I have just lighted my candle to read a letter from Catherine. I wrote her a long time since, but it appears that she did not get my letter. This is the first evening in my new quarters. It seems good to be alone. Wish that you could be here to spend the evening with me. “My heart is in the Highlands, my heart is not here” but the body is. The weather is chilly and gloomy enough. Have had no sun for several days. The making of sugar is over here, but I think it must be pretty good weather for it in the North part of the State. It is cool enough here, but the season is over. I miss the chance of going over to Hinsdale. I have written to Jacob today.

Charles Gray is yet at the hospital. He is well. I saw him at the bakery a few days since. He is anxious to get back to his Regiment. He ahd just come up from the depot where he had been to see the boys from the 8^th Regt. That were on the way home. The night before we were marched down to receive them, but while we were there at the depot, Major Austin received a dispatch that they had gone to Montpelier. He was said to be as mad as a March hare. The people of Brattleboro were, whether the Major was or no. I had supposed that the boys had gone by by way of Rutland, but the next day they came along. Alba Warren had a brother among them but he did not see him. They stopped at the depot about half an hour. I was sorry that I did not have a chance to see them, but I am glad for the boys that they did not stop here. I wish that not another soldier would have to stop in Brattleboro for a minute. I cannot ever have for a moment a pleasant association connected with this place, though the day we went down to the depot to escort the 8^th up, when we came back, we marched through the town on some of its principal streets and got a good many compliments for your appearance. The Major was very much pleased, of that I was glad but as far as the rest of the town was concerned, I would not give a pinch of snuff for all the compliments they could utter. I do not know why I hate the place so, but I do, and every day I hate it more and more, perhaps every place will be so where you are not, but we will be together sometime again, as you predict. It seems that our army in the Red River it is a pity that Gen. Stone could not have been killed at Balls Bluff and led no more men to slaughter.

Where is Mrs. Brown gone? I have made inquiries with regard to her state pay but learn nothing that will be satisfactory to her. Now I must close. What is Mark’s address and Jo Steeles? If you know it, please let me know in your next letter. It is almost time for another muster for pay. I shall not come home until after we have signed the pay roll as if I am not here to sign it I cannot get the pay until another pay day. Do you get any maple sugar? It must be hard to go without either sugar or butter. Butter is said to be very high here. Some of the men have always had it until lately. There is very little seen on our bountiful table now. Kiss the children for me, and accept a thousand for yourself.

Your affectionate husband,

Charles.