Franklin County: Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter,
November 8, 1862
Summary:
Potter writes of snow in camp and how much he looks forward to receiving his
wife's letters. His letter enjoins his wife to continue instructing their
children "in the ways of holiness" in his absence.
Nov 8th 1862
Camp Curtin
Dear Cynthia
Your letter of Oct 31st came safely to hand & I was glad to hear that you are all well. I am still in the enjoyment of good health. Yesterday morning it commenced snowing & continued until late at night making 3 or 4 inches on snow on the ground. We lifted the floor of our tent & built a fire so had a comfortable time of it. This morning our Reg had orders to move about 2 miles the other side of Harrisburg on a hill to take up winter quarters, but on account of the rough weather we will not go until next week. I got your paper & was pleased to read the news. Mr. Clutter got here this morning & brot that jar of ointment. The time is passing much more pleasantly since I am getting a letter every week from you. The days do not appear so long & lonesome. Your letters carry my mind back home & what you write of yourself Mary & the children doing I think I see you & hear you do. I think I can see the children carrying their walnuts down to the house & Bell laughing & talking when they come in with them & then looking for the mail to come in the last of the week & feel sure of a letter from you is a pleasure which keeps the time from being long & lonesome on my hands. Tomorrow is the Sabbath & I would like to keep it with you in the peace & quiet of our home instructing the children in the ways of holiness but this duty comes to you & my prayer is that God will give you grace for the performance of it. The vows rest on us both & I hope to be spared to return to assist you & uphold you in the performance of all duties & to enjoy myself again in the bosom of my family. I must go on here in the performance of my duty & leave the issue to the Disposer of all events. I wrote in my last of a box to be sent to the West Finley boys. You can send me what you think best but I would like to have some of your good butter on hard crackers.
No more at present but I remain your loving & affectionate husband
S. M. Potter
Write my name on what your send me. My love to all the
children & all friends
Kind sister Mary
Your letter came
with Cynthias & I was glad to know that
you were well. I have not heard from home since you left. I sent them a
letter by Tom Marshall. I thought it would be some time in getting to them
& have not got an answer yet. For the present time there is no
change in my position. I would like to better it but all gifts come from the
hand of Him who knows what is best for us & I will use all lawful
means & leave all in the hands of the Disposer of all events, my
petition & endeavor to say thy will be done. We have no particular
news other more than what I wrote to Cynthia. Your affectionate brother
S.M. Potter
