Franklin County: Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter,
January 26, 1864
Summary:
Potter explains why he has not written more often and tells about moving into new
quarters near Warrenton, Virginia.
Cynthia Potter
Jan 26th 1864
Camp 16th Pa Cav Turkey Run Near Warrenton Va
Dear Cynthia
I suppose you will scold me for not writing sooner but I was busy yesterday & could not get time. We are in the old tracks again. In the morning we have sick call, which lasts for an hour & a half or so. Then I have to visit those who are sick in the quarters, taking about an hour. Soon dinner comes. As a matter of course that must be attended to too & we do it full justice. After noon we read or ride out but as my horse has been condemned & shot I cant indulge much in that exercise. Now you will suppose that I have plenty of time in the afternoon to write & so might be more punctual. The fact is through the week after getting your letter I feel very well contented & dont think of writing. As the week draws to a close I begin to feel anxious for the mail to come in, thinking I might get a letter. Well last week none came. Sabbath I though certainly one would be here that day, so I waited all day & in the evening they said there was no letter for me. Well then I thought surely I would write. Well before writing I thought I would lay down & shut my eyes & see you all at home. Well I lay there & talked with you & the children until nearly bedtime. The Dr. had been reading he laid down his book & commenced talking so I thought to put off writing to you until Monday morning. Monday morning came & the Vetinary Surgeon came in & handed me a letter. The postmaster gave it to him & he forgot to give it to me. One mans carelessness often gives others a great deal of uneasiness. If he had handed me your letter when he got it I could have writen three days sooner.
Now the reason why I was so busy yesterday is the Dr. concluded to put up quarters in the Regiment as we were some little distance out of camp. I took the day to superintend the putting up of shanties, which kept me busy all day. Today we moved. I have a first rate shanty of logs built up a fireplace & chimney in it & covered with shelter[deleted: ed] tents. It will be very comfortable. I have the medicines all fixed up writing desk & so on.
Your letter was very welcome as I was lonesome for one with news from my wife. I got not only news but encouragement from your cheering letter. I will send your portfolio the first oppurtunity.
The weather here has been most delightful for a few days. The mud has dried up & it is like Spring. We certainly will have winter weather to pay up for this soft snap.
I would like to make you spill another dish of molasses one of these days but dont know when. Probably not until March as then I will get a furlough to go to Harrisburg & as a matter of course Good Intent is on the road to Harrisburg & I will have to pass through it & might stop over night if anyone would keep me. None of the girls have been to see you yet. They told me one of them would go down in a day or two after I was there. They probably heard that Bell was better & did not go.
I wrote to them a day or two after my return to the Regiment & have no answer from them yet. My letter may have been miscarried or they may have been slow in answering. We had one of the Richmond boys to see us. Their Regiment is near Warrenton. They are all well.
I wrote to David & Eliza but have no answer from them as yet. This letter will not reach you in the time you expect one & I sympathize with you in advance, promising after this to write wether yours come or not.
You wrote saying my last had not been received but that you would write thinking Pa would be lonesome for a letter. I was very lonesome for one & am very glad that you wrote & such a pleasant one too, made it doubly welcome. After this I will try & be more punctual. Jimmy is beginning to talk. I expect his attempts are awkard & amusing & must be interesting. I would like to hear him. Write to me how Josey Lucy & Bell are getting along. What are they doing & what do they say. I have an idea what my wife would say if I was their with her & I will now say that I will pray for the choisest blessings upon her & her family & am still her most affectionate husband
S.M. Potter
