Augusta County: Jesse Rolston, Jr., to Mary Rolston, February
12, 1863
Summary:
In this letter, Jesse Rolston advises his wife on agricultural matters at home.
February the 12th 1863
Camp near Port Royal Carolina CountyVirginia
Dear companion
i seat myself to inform you that i am well at present and hope that this may find you enjoying the same blessing that god has bestowed upon me. i had a few days ago a pain in the small of my back that i could scarcely get up when i was down but i have got about well again. i have not much news to write of importance but i will scratch some down at a venture. the majority of the people down this way from what they can learn they say there is great prospect of peace and some say that there will be peace before the first day of may but for my part i dont think that peace will be so soon as that. if it only would prove to be so i should be very glad. o i don't know how i should feel if peace would be so we all could go home and get shut of this war but i still live in hopes that i may return home and find you and all in good spirits and in health. don't forget to keep the stock out of the orchard this spring if you can. that will be the dependent for hay next summer. the new ground field if kept up would make a right smart hay too but it will be hard to keep the things out. the fence is bad. write how the feed will hold out thinks you and grain whether the corn will keep the hogs. pick out your seed corn before it get too scarce. i started a letter last sunday to you by mail. the weather is very pretty here now-has been for several days. try and get some person to help John to sowthe cloverseed that understand it so they can show him how to do it. a half a bushel will be enough on each field if the timothy ain't frozen out since i left home.
no more at present but remain your affectionate husband until separated by death.
Jesse Rolston
don't
forget to write
I shall try and send as many as you Mary C.
Rolston
