DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Anson R. Butler letters, 1861-1900

Transcribe
Translate

Anson R. Butler letters, 1861-1900

1863-08-03 Page 4

yesterday in the afternoon we were towed up stream above all the steamboats and landed at the levee in the upper part of the City. We are lying at the foot of a very fine street and on every account the best landing place we could have had. Had a large water melon for dinner today and fresh stewed peaches, cucumbers & vinegar, tomatoes, and Roast Duck, well stuffed, Bread & butter, ice water, potatoes, etc. etc. They are granting furloughs now to some extent and I shall try and get one and be at home for a week or two this fall and see my own dear wife, and children. O Harriet I must tell you again & again how much I love you. How you are in all my day musings & night thoughts. Queen over all my thoughts. In imagination I hold you in my arms, feel your breath on my cheek, Kiss you from head to foot. Imaginingly dwell on each sweet charm. Each day every day you are a noble wife in mind, [management?], & person all my heart asks for and I think more than I deserve. There are few so Noble, I have heard others say and I am proud & happy of it and do agree with them. And O my dear wife I have no desire to flatter. What I say have said is from my heart. I can't believe you'd doubt it. I grieve to think I have a thought you may. I did receive two letters to day with your likeness which I don't think is as good looking as you are, but was near enough like you to make my eyes glisten and heart swell to look at it and I kissed it. I won't believe you ever have a doubt of my love, never any more. I am sorry I thought enough of it to make a miserable thought or write you as I did. O I love you so much. I wish I could be at home and help you, but save yourself all you can. Keep your health as good as possible. You can sell the cow if you think best for she is old any how and I don't want you to worry with her this winter. Now as to your going with C. I wish you could but I don't see how you are to spare the money for fit out & expenses now when things are so uncertain. Then I want to get a furlough and go home and when I can is uncertain, but will be quickly done when it is. Then I should not know where to find you and at all events would want to go to Dewitt before return

Saving...

yesterday in the afternoon we were towed up stream above all the steamboats and landed at the levee in the upper part of the City. We are lying at the foot of a very fine street and on every account the best landing place we could have had. Had a large water melon for dinner today and fresh stewed peaches, cucumbers & vinegar, tomatoes, and Roast Duck, well stuffed, Bread & butter, ice water, potatoes, etc. etc. They are granting furloughs now to some extent and I shall try and get one and be at home for a week or two this fall and see my own dear wife, and children. O Harriet I must tell you again & again how much I love you. How you are in all my day musings & night thoughts. Queen over all my thoughts. In imagination I hold you in my arms, feel your breath on my cheek, Kiss you from head to foot. Imaginingly dwell on each sweet charm. Each day every day you are a noble wife in mind, [management?], & person all my heart asks for and I think more than I deserve. There are few so Noble, I have heard others say and I am proud & happy of it and do agree with them. And O my dear wife I have no desire to flatter. What I say have said is from my heart. I can't believe you'd doubt it. I grieve to think I have a thought you may. I did receive two letters to day with your likeness which I don't think is as good looking as you are, but was near enough like you to make my eyes glisten and heart swell to look at it and I kissed it. I won't believe you ever have a doubt of my love, never any more. I am sorry I thought enough of it to make a miserable thought or write you as I did. O I love you so much. I wish I could be at home and help you, but save yourself all you can. Keep your health as good as possible. You can sell the cow if you think best for she is old any how and I don't want you to worry with her this winter. Now as to your going with C. I wish you could but I don't see how you are to spare the money for fit out & expenses now when things are so uncertain. Then I want to get a furlough and go home and when I can is uncertain, but will be quickly done when it is. Then I should not know where to find you and at all events would want to go to Dewitt before return