Before Richmond, Virginia
November 2d 1864
My dear Kate,
Thankd for your gracious permission not to write when I don’t feel like it, but suppose as now I do happen to feel like it and it rains and the wind is never weary, you won’t positively stick this note into the fire unread, will you?
I am sure if you could look in upon me this afternoon and see what a very comfortable place I have at last got, you would consider a log house the very most charming place in the world to live in. You would have a feeling of envy and be for having our future home built upon this model. The walls are thick and warm, and the canvas roof has the advantages of a sky light. I might enlarge on the attractions of headquarters but for fear you would become discontented with home, I forbear.
Everything looks more and more like winter quarters, or at least a temporary lull in active operations. It is reported that General Butler has gone or is going North on a thirty days leave. Some leaves of absence have been granted, I know, and more will be I am told. I do not look for any and shall not as I intend taking a long leave in January.
My Mother and John have returned from their visit to Joe and seem to have had a very pleasant trip. They report Joe well and doubting about taking the Captaincy as he also intends quitting service this winter if he can. It would be a satisfactory convocation if we might all meet together again, the first time in three years. It is almost too good to hope for,
I hear that Capt. Coit [8th Connecticut] of whom you have heard before, was mortally wounded in the attack the other day. I trust it may not be so bad as I fear for his poor mother would break her heart. It seems as if the best men were passing away.
General Hawley is well and wears his star with satisfaction and becoming modesty. I had intended writing to Clare this afternoon but have been interrupted so much that I must defer it again. You cannot understand how my time is broken up. I am subject to constant interruptions and have got behind hand in sundry “returns, &c.” which keeps me awake nights—that is, it ought to but does not.
The reading circle sounds attractive but do you know I am very rusty in Mr. Shakespeare’s works. I am prepared to take any character or act an intelligent audience. I will call in some of these evenings—but just now I am acting upon another stage, a very considerable play. General Grant is the star actor. I have only a minor part. I hope the play will soon be over. Goodnight. Yours, — Alfred
Spared & Shared 19 