Franklin County: Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter,
February 8, 1864
Summary:
Potter reports on recent skirmishes and suggests that the rebels are getting
"tired." He also notes that he is expecting five months of back pay.
Cynthia Potter
Feb 8th 1864
Camp 16th Pa Cav, Near Warrenton, Va.
Dear Cynthia
It is a week yesterday since I have received a letter from you. This is occasioned some time ago in writing by my delay. You are waiting a letter from me. Yesterday I got that Cake & can of apples. I hoped to get a letter in the box but their was nothing for me except the eatables which pitched into & I tell you they were good, expecially coming from your fireside. I would have been pleased if Josey, Lucy, Bell, & Jimmy were by me to get a piece of it. They thought it would be good to make Pa better so Aunt Mary writes. Well Pa is as well & hearty as ever but the cake made him feel better. Made the fireside of home more distinctly into view. Will Potters box was brought without having anything in it disturbed or spoiled. Some of the boys that get boxes dont fares so well. Will keeps hearty & well. Will Carrol has pretty good health. George McDaid has tolerable health.
I got a letter from home on last Friday. They are all well. Mary says she was down to see you & found you all in good health. She wrote about Josey wanting to go home with her & Lucy told him to wait until Jimmy came & he could go home with her. Lucy wanted to go with Mother & Jimmy. Aunt Mary wrote too how Jimmy sat on her knee & tried to talk to her with all his might. He cant say yes can he.
There was cannon firing in the direction of Rapidan on Saturday. We could hear it all day. We see by the paper today that the rebs moved some of their force down to the river and opened on our men, when our forces turned on them & turned them back. The report here is that the pontoons were run down to the river & the 2nd & 3rd Corps crossed over & thrashed the Johnnies. This is camp rumor here how true it is I dont know. The papers dont give any particulars.
Our division has been quiet ever since my return. We were saddled up one night sometime ago expecting the rebs. Morning came but nary a reb. The boys unsaddled.
The pickets up about Warrenton have a few shots sometimes. The rebs are getting tired of it so we are having a quiet time.
Dr. Lemon of the 9th Pa Reserves has been made Surgeon of our Regiment. Dr. Hermann is still the Assisstant & we cant have but one so my hopes are deferred for the present.
I certainly looked for a letter from you at the time the box would come but have received none yet. Did you write. Mr. James Howe sent me a Washington Tribune & a Cincinatti paper. Will you give him my compliments for the acceptable reading matter.
The Paymaster has not been here since my return & I now have 5 months pay coming. I dont know when he will pay off, probably not soon towards spring. How are you getting along for money. Your wood wont cost as much as I supposed it would. The 1st Va Cavalry have got home. I hear the folks will be very glad to see them. You will find that I have broken my promise about writing. I felt so sure of getting a letter on Sabbath day from you I thought to wait until yours would come & then I could answer it. The box came but no letter. You wrote I feel sure but it is lost.
Everything is quiet today. No firing that we can hear. The boys feel better in their cabins these times than they do bivuacing these cold nights. We are having frost at night with clear bright sunshiny days. Hoping to hear from you soon I remain your
affectionate husband
S.M. Potter
Send me a few stamps if you please.
