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Charleston Kanawha Co. ,VA
Oct. 4th, 1862
Dear wife:
I once more seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know how
I am getting along. I can't understand why I don't hear from home any more.
We came here 3 weeks ago today and have only received one letter from you
and it was written the 16 of September. So it has been 19 days since I
have heard from home. I have been uneasy for you told me you would write
at least once a week. I do not know whether you get my letters or not but
I write you once a week and sometimes twice and will still do so. I am
sorry to tell you that I am not at all well, but don't make yourself uneasy.
I was afraid yesterday and day before that I was going to have another
spell of erysipelas. I was taken with a terrible headache and sore throat
and neck. I feel a good deal better this morning and think I will be well
in a few days. I have some good news to tell you now. I had laid
down my pen and paper to rest awhile and had picked up the Bible and was
reading the 11th chapter of Daniel and Cameron came in and handed me a
letter. I saw at once it was your hand writing. Believe me I sure was glad
and read it with great pleasure and satisfaction. It was written on Sunday,
the 25th of September. That day I worked hard all day on the breast works
and on the next day (Monday) I started a letter to you. I have written
4 letters since I have been at this camp and it seems the first one is
the only one you received. I hope before this time you have some or all
of the rest. I was glad to hear you were all well except Ruby and hope
he is well by this time. The news of the marriage of George Kegley and
Mag Wohlford came as a great surprise. I had not even heard they were courting.
Tell Sallie and Nannie to put off their weddings till I come home, so I
can get some of the good eats. Also tell Sis from what I can hear she will
have to dance in the hog trough ha!ha! It is raining now and I will finish
my letter. We have had the most agreeable weather for the time of the year
I ever saw. I have not seen a bit of frost yet this fall and but very few
cool nights. But I suppose there has been plenty of frost in Wythe County
before this time. This is a good deal warmer place than Wythe and I fear
it will not be a healthy place to camp but so far I believe there is no
more sickness in our Regiment than there has formerly been. It is hard
to tell how long we will remain at this place. Some say we will only be
here a short while, others say we are to hold our position here all the
time possible. If we do fall back to our old position (at the Narrows)
I intend to come home awhile if there is a possible chance. And if we stay
here till Christmas and I live I am coming home anyhow. The boys are all
as mischievous as ever. The only complaint is they don't get letters enough.
Cameron offered me a quarter for my letter today after I had read it. He
said he had not got one for so long that he would have to buy one of somebody
else. James Harrell says if he don't get a letter he intends to write himself
a long one and take it home and have his wife read it and bring the answer
back when he comes. I believe I have nothing more to write that would be
of interest to you and a great deal of what I have written is of very little
importance so I will close for the present and write you a few more lines
in the morning and let you know how I am feeling by that time.
Sunday Morning, Oct. 5th I resume my writing and am glad to inform
you that I am a good deal better this morning. I slept very well last night
and cannot complain much, only of a sore mouth and misery in my back. I
have just been to the doctor and he tells me I must take good care of myself.
I forgot to tell you before that Capt. Repass has the fever. He is in town
at a private house and they say he is mending. I have not seen Jace nor
Alf or Monroe for 3 or 4 days but presume they are well. I think I will
be able to get Jace's letter to him today as we are
only three-fourths of a mile apart but they are on one side of the
river and we are on the other. Give this other letter to Wiley Grubb's
mother and oblige him. Give my respects to all the family both in the house
and kitchen and don't forget to take a large portion for yourself. Good
bye for this time. Don't forget to write often.
I am as ever your affectionate husband till death.
Thomas W. Fisher
| COPYRIGHT© 1998 Dianne
McGinley Gardner - All rights reserved. Copies for personal use and
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