William H. Houston Letter

This letter was written by William H. Houston to his sister Lavina

On Picket Near Fredericksburg, Va.
June 1st 1863

Dear Sister Vina

Yours dated the 24th was received with the greatest pleasure by me while on Picket last evening. We are glad to hear that you are all well. We are as usual enjoying the best of health and so is all the boys from Wayne and not only that but we are well contented and Contentment makes one Cheerful and Happy and I'll bet you we would think we was so if you could see us sometimes. We are on Picket a little below Fredericksburg and precisely the place where old Burnside crossed last fall and it makes me angry every time I look at the place to think that so large a army as he had that he had to skedaddle back in the night. Our Posts are on the bank of the River on this side and theirs on the other. I can see the darn Reb Gray Backs all along the bank now. They look as though they was about Plaid Out. and I believe they are. It is a pleasant place out there. I had rather be out here than in camp. There is such a beautiful Spring all along all along the River and such nice Country. We came out yesterday and will go to Camp tomorrow. Vine that paper and envelopes you sent us we think is just gay. Al has the one that has the Eagle on. We never have and Difficulty about any such thing sent from anyone for I am glad to receive the Present if it be small. We was paid two months Pay last Friday afternoon and we sent our checks of twenty dollars each for home. If they dont reach there write immediately. I will send and have a new one. We have the numbers of them. It was the first time we had heard from Sam Myers being drafted. Well good enough for him let him volunteer and come in defense of his Country and it would be some honour to him not hang back as many men have done. Vine I think the Pedigree of Jake Simmons that you sent me is Correct. It is my opinion of him exactly. I suppose you was very well Satisfied with the visit he made if it was a Short One. I think the next visit he makes ought to be in the Army and a good long one until this war is closed and then go into the Regular Service for five years and then he would come out maybe a soldier. Vine it is uncertain about how long we will stay in Camp. There is Rumors of or Corps relieving the Eighth Corps in Maryland. If we do likely we will go to Baltimore but we cant put any dependence in what is said here. Well it might be the case for the for the Eighth Corps is full and our Corps is the smallest in the Army of the Potomac for there have been many troops of nine months taken out of it. Well Vine I must close or my paper will make me close so give my Regards to all the girls. Our love to all. Answer soon no more

Yours as Ever
Wm H. Houston

Sister Vine

P.S. Excuse mistakes and poor writing for I am in a hurry

This letter is courtesy of the Wayne Historical Museum