My Dear Wife,
I received your letter of the 26th two or three days ago and should have answered it before but it has been busy times with us for a few days. We had marching orders the night I got it but we are here still and may stay here some time yet. I am as well as can be expected considering the accommodations we have. We have nothing but shelter tents to sleep in so you can imagine how we live but we shall go into winter quarters I think before long. Our army occupies the same position it has ever since we crossed the river as far as I am able to judge. That portion that we are connected with is near the ninth army corps, but a large portion is said has moved. You cannot imagine how much pleasure it gives me to receive a letter from you and I wish I could have one every day for I am very lonesome since the battle. So many of our company have gone to Washington wounded and five have lost their lives in defense of their country’s honor.
I had a letter from Julia¹ and one from Alfred² this week. I wish you were at home as our folks are going to send me a box but I don’t know but you would like to be at Providence when you send me a box. But if you think of sending one send it immediately. Two boxes will not come amiss out here as we can get nothing to eat except army rations and sometimes not enough of that. I want some good cake. Make it as rich as you please. Send two large loaves and some of your mother’s mince pies and some apples, nice ones and other things good to eat in abundance. I would like some good preserves and if you send me any send it in something that will not break. I want a pair of suspenders, as I cannot afford to pay the price they ask out here. You can use your own judgment what to send only don’t send any bottles for if we were to moves I should have to throw them away and if I had pies and cakes and apples I could in case of being ordered to march, dispose of them to a good advantage. I wrote to Julia to send me some butter and cheese, and apples. Apples out here are worth 6 and 10 cents apiece so you can imagine how much they ask for things here. You need not have any fears but a box will reach me as they are coming here everyday or two and if you send one immediately on receipt of this it will reach me very soon. You wrote about your having an oyster supper and wishing that I were there to enjoy it with you. I would liked to have been there but it will be but a short time now if I am so lucky as to go through the many unknown dangers that await me. Three months have rolled away and six more remain and may God grant that ere³ the six months have passed away it will bring this wicked rebellion to a close and land us safely back to our homes where we can meet again not to be separated by the call of our country is in danger. Rise and defend her honor but may it dawn on a peaceful and united country with every bondman⁴ free and we can hear throughout the whole land the cry Liberty and union one and inseparable. But I must close as I want to get this letter in tonight. The money you sent me came through all right, I want some more as soon as you can send it. I would like to write more but I cannot tonight and have it go. Give my love to all. I shall wait with pleasure the arrival of my box. I wish I could see you, dearest. I dream of you often and sometimes it causes the tears to start but hope is like an anchor to the soul. Pray for me earnestly and may we be so unspeakably happy as to meet again where we shall not be separated again ever is my earnest prayer. May God grant it. Write often.
From your husband
Ezra
¹Julia Rounds (1822-1882), Ezra’s older sister
²Alfred Burgess (1827-1897), married to Julia Rounds
³before (in time, archaic)
⁴a serf; a slave (archaic)
