Franklin County: Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter,
January 11, 1864
Summary:
Potter writes about the scare he had when he thought he had lost Cynthia's
picture. He also mentions his regiment's recent raid in the Shenandoah
Valley.
Cynthia Potter
Jan. 11 1864
Camp on Turkey Creek Near Warrenton Va.
Dear Wife
Your most welcome letter was received yesterday evening relieving me very much on Bells account, as I was more uneasy about her since leaving home than I was when there. I am glad you did not wait to answer my letter as it would have kept me longer hearing from home. When I wrote last the regiment had taken some quarters deserted by infrantry since we had to come here and build quarters for ourselves. The first night or two we camped out on the snow. Since, the Doctor has taken a house for our quarters & we have a very comfortable place. The Doctor expects his wife in a few days so he rented a furnished room with a feather bed. Until his wife arrives I am sleeping with him in a warm room in a feather bed. As you will see by my last letter I got here on Saturday the 2nd. On Sunday I wanted to see my wife & felt in my pocket for that picture when lo & behold it was gone. The Doctor & I looked all over our tent, under the bed up & down. So I gave it up for lost when I got a letter informing me where it is. I am glad that it is not lost & hope you will send it in your next letter. As we have no woman here but an old dried up vinegar-faced Virginian, who is cross as an old bear because of her fences and so on I want a good looking woman to look at, so send the pictures along. Any time you have a chance to get pictures of the children I wish you would have them taken & send them to me. The weather has been very cold since I came out. Today the sun is shining brightly making a little mud. I got two of your letters since I came. Perhaps I told you the Regiment was out on a raid into the Shenandoah Valley & have returned. They burned some tanneries, captured some horses & some rebs. You need not be uneasy about my blanket as I am sleeping very comfortably & hope it will help to keep you warm. Wisby gave me the mittens & I have to thank you for your trouble as they keep my hands warm. I guess you need not make any catnip tea for me as my headache has left & my cold is getting better. I would like very much to be at home with yourself and the children as it is the pleasantest place I have found in all my travels & as a matter of course there is where I want to be, to hear Josey's drum, to hear Lucy & Bell singing & have Jimmy running to get up on my knee & then jump down again like a little mischief & then to have Cynthia making catnip tea & curing my headache. How pleasant our prayers have been heard & we have been permitted to have one reunion. The same God is still the hearer & answerer of prayer. Let us still look to him for blessings & among them the privilege of meeting again around the family altar praying that God may keep you all in his care I remain
Your affectionate husband
S. M. Potter
I got the stamps & envelopes you sent & was glad to receive them. You will please send the picture as I am lost without it. We will try to save money enough to buy the Anthony house & lot for you in the spring.
