Franklin County: Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter,
December 2, 1862
Summary:
Potter's letter expresses a faith in God, whatever his own fate may be, and
expresses his desire to see his children, including his youngest son.
Dec. 2nd 1862
Camp Casey
My Dear Wife
I write to let you know that I am still in the good enjoyment of good health & hope you are enjoying the same blessing Well Cynthia tomorrow morning at 8 oclock we start for Fredericksburg to join Gen Burnsides army. I had hoped to get home to see you before we left here but now I can not tell when it will be that I may see you It is in the path of duty & in the proper performance of it with a reliance on the God of battles we may hope to have him smile on us. & yet we do not know in what manner he will glorify his name by us, whether by sparing our health & lives for future usefulness or by suffering & death. Whatever is his will let us say thy will be done in submission. Let us remember that the bows of God are on us my dear wife & endurance all things in patience. I would like so much to see the children too with our youngest boy Jimmy Sloan tell them that Pa would like so much to kiss them all this afternoon & take them on his knee. I will send this by a man from Washington Co. & you will find in it the key of my Carpet Sack & a receipt from Express Co. The sack will go to West Alexander to your address. I forgot when I started it to keep out the berries that I had not used I was keeping them for a time when I would be sick, as my health has been good all the time I forgot them until the Carpet Sack was started & then it was too late. Maybe you will have a chance of sending the after a while with some person. The box you sent has not come yet. The doctor was at the Express office yesterday & it was not there. One of the doctors has gone to town in an ambulance. He will see if it is there & if so will bring it out. I have had no letter from you for 2 weeks now & I would like very much to get one soon to know how you all are. I feel uneasy lest some of you may be sick. No more just now Cynthia but I pray that God may keep you in his Care &
I ask for your prayers for your affectionate husband
S. M. Potter
