Augusta: William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout,
March 24, 1864
Summary:
William writes to Kate of a snowball Battle with Rhodes' division, troop
movements, preaching in camp, and his love for her.
Miss Kate Armentrout
Greeville
Augusta County
Virginia
Miss Kate Armentrout
Mar 24th 1864
Camp Stonewall Brigade
My Dear Friend
I received your letter on the 21st was truly glad to
hear from you I had almost given up all hope of ever hearing from you again, but
it seemed that I was blessed at the eleventh hour by
receiving a long & affectionate letter, Peace seemed a stranger to my
mind I went to preaching regular & often found my mind wandering on
things that didn't interest my soul. Salvation tonight
I am on guard and as I can not sleep I have concluded to
spend my lonely hours in writing to my best of friends.
My health is very good, I have no reason to complain of any thing. I am only
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in all things to say Lord thy will be done not mine. Thare is no news
astir in camp that would interest. Every thing is quiet along the Rapidan. Our Brigade has to
go on Picket Monday morning I hope we may have a pleasant time We had quite a heavy snow storm here last Tuesday & Tuesday night It was from ten to twelve inches deep
the boys had a gay time snow balling; our Brigade bantered Rhodes'
division
they come out and drove us back to our quarters we had
no General to command us in the first Battle they had two. Walker seeing us
drove back came out & rallied the old brigade and drove our opponents to their quarters
capturing one of their Gen I suppose there was two thousand engaged on either side. There was none killed on either side but
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a great many
bloodly n[deleted: o]oses. Dear Kate wish I was by your side tonight I am sure I could talk much easier than write
I do not feel my self capable of answering your letter but look over my many
short comings & I will try Dear Kate you spoke of kneeling at my feet to
implore mercy I pray thee never kneel to no man, but rather to thy creator in
whom is our only help, he can change the hearts of
those that hate us; to love & respect us; Dear
Kate can you imagine my happiness when I came to the
words "Willie I love thee; & my love has been tried; ah methinks I can hear those words coming up from thy noble but storm tossed heart; and they make me feel
like a strong man. Then again Oh God is it not sinful, you entreat me to forget, who, my first, my only, and I hope my
last lover. Dear Kate is this not cruel; one that loves
me one that I love, to advise me to forsake her, what have I done to bring this
judgment upon me have I com
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mitted
some foul deed that will leave a stain up on my character or am I not good enough for thee I can not bring my self for a moment to
think that you would advise me thus on account of my need of worldly goods; oh I
know you know to well on this last, that God is the giver of all such gifts you
said you cared not for your own happiness but that
you would be happy in seeing your friends happy Dear Kate let me pray thee
never speak thus again I for one of thy loving hands
will never cease striving until it may please the almighty to place me
in a condition to make you happy Then & not till
then shall I be perfectly
happy, then if you refuse me I can live my days as I am;
when I learn to quit using tobacco I will do it for your sake you asked me
whether I went to see your cous, Lizzie I did not I wanted to see her but could
not I was in trouble I had left a face that I loved with out seeing it &
no other face seemed familiar. Dear Kate let us forget the past & try
& live as two loving friends for awhile; then if it may please our
master may I hope we may be drawn closer friends
You will please excuse all mistakes & if you find any thing in this [illeg.] to your feelings I pray they forgive me. I have written to night with a heart that seems to me nothing but love but its pure & forgiven nature you will please write soon as I am all in hopes that the day may soon roll round when I may again have the pleasure of beholding your face & having the permission of once more touching your ruby lips I would have the never to forget me in your prayers that I may prove a valiant soldier to my country and to my God I must close. Please have no complaint in this letter my love to all enquiring friends if there be any Now may the blessing of a great & good God be with you friend your well wisher.
