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1863 May 3
Camp Asby,
Sunday Evening
My Dear Wife
I received your letter of the 27th
Apl. Yesterday which was
great source of consolation to me I am
sorry to think that you suppose you
could wear me by your too often writing_
It is instead a feast to the soldiers to hear from loved ones at
home_ I would be glad to hear from you
every day_ I am glad to state that I am
well Again the company got back to this
place_ the same day that I wrote to you
last_ they complained of a great deal of
hard time while they were at Charleston_ they got very little to eat and had nothing
to cook that in which they did get_ they
had to eat their bread without softening
everything seems to be quiet hear now
there is not even the sound of a yankee gun to
be heard_ the weather is very fine and
cheerful although somewhat dry. We have
had very little rain here since I have been to camps
the weather remains cool up to this time_
there has been very few warm days.
The latter part of the night an the morning is quite cool there is a breeze stiring
the most of the time which makes it very plesent_ whenever the wind is not stiring
the sand flies is very annoying_ some
nights we can hardly sleep for them_ you
stated that you had me some pants made and some cloth to make shirts and
jackets_ I do not need any clothes now
save the pant_ If you have any chance
send me the pants if they are cotton_
Two pair cotton socks and I would be glad to have a pair of
gallowses I lost one of the gallowses
that I brought with me. Be sure to dye
every thing you send me any color is
better for camp than white _ I think the
shirts I have will do me until the latter part of the summer and I do not need any jackets for summer If you make any shirts to send me make them
with pockets in the breast the same as you made the jackets and they had better
be colored you had better keep the
cloth you have to make jackets if you
send any clothing be sure not send any except the pants and socks and gallowses
for it is a poor place to take care of clothing in camp_ a man should not have more than two suits at
a time_ I do not need any coat_ Malvina you advise
me to pray to the Almighty to protect me from danger_ that is my daily prayer and I believe he will
do it and I hardly ever suffer my eyes to close at night without remembering
you and the children_ but while I am
praying for you_ You must pray for
yourself and I know you will not forget me
I am glad that you are sending George to school tell him he must make haste and learn to
write and read_ I will send him a nice
little book to read__ and some paper to
write on. Tell Charley he must study
his book at home until he gets a chance to go to school__ He schall have
some nice books too whenever he gets so he can read__ tell him and the baby that I am comming home some time__
and I will buy and bring some thing pretty for them__ You stated that John White had offered too
dollars for the sters William wrote to me some time ago about
them__ and I wrote to him that they
could be bought for that price__ but I
do not know what property of any kind is worth there__ and if you think they are are
worth more you did right not to take it_
if the war continues they will bring a high price next fall__ Beef is now worth 60cts per pound in Savanah and corn meal is worth four dollars per bin. I asked you in a former letter how much salt
you hold on hand__ you did not tell
me__ I wish to know so that I can look
out for some in time__ You must write
soon Your affectionate Husband until
death
H F Scarborough
[Transcribed by Stacy Bryant, June
2005]
[Edited by Tina Bernath, June 2006]
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