Augusta County: John N. Hull to a Friend, November
22, 1863
Summary:
Hull writes to a friend about his desire to leave Winchester. He also mentions a
furlough he received on account of his typhoid fever, and talks about how hard
it has been for the Confederacy to succeed militarily. Hull was a member of the
4th Va.
Friend
Sunday Nov. 22d 1863
Camp on the Rapidan Near Orange Courthouse
My Dear Friend
As I feel quite lonesome this beautiful Sunday morning, My Thoughts wandered back to the good Old Times I have spent in
Winchester and also in your presence and I thought there would not be any
impropriety in dropping you a few lines as I thought you would be glad to hear
from me if I am a [unclear:
Rebel
] as I believe you are hard on them. Oho if I
could hear that Miss Julie [unclear: Hremer] was still living when I
think of her (and that is often) it seems that it is not Possible that she is
dead. some times I think I am dreaming. But Alas it
is True Miss Lizzie I have been spending some [deleted: very] happy
days since I last saw you. I went from Winchester to Staunton and stayed there in the Hospital a month and I went to my
company and did not
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remain there but a few days when I was taking
with the Typhoid fever and got a furlough for 50 days. I just got back. no
person ever enjoyed themselves better than I did. It is reported everywhere I am engaged to be married. They had a
day set. I did not know it until the time had past. I
wish I had of know it sooner I might of not disappointed Them. you know who it
is I guess. That Young Lady I was [unclear:
corresponding
] with when I was staying with you all. I enjoyed myself very much in
her company whilst at home. We took a trip to Richmond while I was at Home. I
wish you could of been with us. I often wish I could be at your house. I made My
Sisters believe I was engaged to a Miss Dieffendaffer
of Winchester. I just did it to
get them to tease me. has Miss Maggey got well and is
she
married yet. I guess she is
& Miss Camilla & Sallie how are they all also that Good Old
Father & Mother [added: of yours] are they
well &c
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give them all my kindest regards. Tell Mr Dieffendaffer I hope he will be at Home next time I go
to Winchester. Mr Williams sends his respects to all I
suppose [deleted: he is] you are acquainted with him. he claims Miss
Maggie as a sweetheart. I am trying to get a transfer to the Calvary in the
Valley for I want to see Winchester so bad. We are seeing hard times now.
building fortifications along The Rapidan. we are expecting a Battle every day. our independence is mighty hard to get, but we
are not discouraged yet I do not believe it ever will
be settled that is by fighting.
President Davis reviews our corps tomorrow. I wish he
had of stayed where he belongs for I do hate this
inspection. we have been building winter quarters for 2 months but cannot get to
stay in them the Yankees got our best [unclear:
houses
]. I wish I was in that fine house beyond Winchester I built. Some mean
Yankee is living in it now I expect.
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If I do not get killed in this War I expect to visit old Winchester and
hunt me a wife for I have taken a particular favor to the Ladies of that place. all
Soldiers speak more of Winchester than any place we ever been at.
I will bring my badly written letter to a close Hoping you will honor me with a letter Tell all of your Sisters to write to me. Give my love to Mrs Hremer & [illeg.] and all of my kind friends.
And much love to you all
Your True Friend
John N. Hull
Directions Company "D" 4thVirginia Infantry Stone Wall Brigade Ewell Corps 1st Division [deleted: A.N.V.]
