1863 Apr 22
Camps Gordon
April 22, 1863
Mrs. Nancy J. Harden
My dear companion,
I again seat myself to drop you a few lines which will inform you that I am still well, hoping these lines may find you all well and doing well.
We will move from here to Thunderbolt in a few days and then we will be three and a half miles from town.
Some says we will have to go to Tennessee in a few weeks, but I don’t believe it, but some General up there has called on General Beauregard for ten thousand troops, and they will have to go to Savannah and Charleston. So, it will thin us out smartly about here. If they send me to Tennessee, I am going to fall off the train when I get to Milner. If they do not guard me all the time, I will stop sure when I get up there.
We have some sickness here now, but not any in comparison to what we will have if we stay here in these swamps, six ponds of frogs, and alligators. Jerry Singleton caught two of the biggest frogs last night I ever saw. Some of the boys are eating of them this morning.
Jane, I will send you some rice to Griffin in care of A. Gray. We bought a thrice of rice among us and have sent it to Griffin to be divided. Fifty pounds will be my share.
I want you to send me 8 or 10 dollars if you can, as I am out of money.
I will send you a handkerchief by Mrs. Benson, also the bucket, but the box I will keep some longer.
I will have to stop writing now until after the morning drill. The weather is cool yesterday and today, but has been very hot sometime past.
8 o’clock
Well, we have just been drilling in the Manual of Arms. I have just one hour to go on before I will have to drill a squad in artillery and then I will rest until Battalion drill at half after three this afternoon.
There has been a great many women here to see their husbands, but they most all say when they go to leave that it is almost more than they can bear. And they nearly all decide that it is best not to come. They say it is worse than parting at home. Consequently, I have determined not to insist on your coming here, unless you want to come, although I would give almost anything to see you and Mollie and all the rest of our families. I think that furloughs will be issued after awhile, and them I will come home or bust a button of my pants.
My officers I think will do me justice. The boys call me one of Captain Martin’s pets, but it is not because they are partial, but because I try to do my duty.
April 23
I will write some more today.
Mrs. Benson and Orear will start home tomorrow.
We have to move to Thunderbolt for the purpose of working and picketing on Whitmarsh Island. We will have to stay a week at a time on Whitmarsh. We also will go to Skidaway Island to picket.
I intend to come home just as soon as I can.
I think of you every day and every hour that I ain’t asleep, and then I dream of you and Mollie, too.
I am at a loss to know what to write next. If Mrs. Benson can take my pants, I will send two pair of yarn pants home. If not, I will hold on until I see whether Pa comes or not. I would be glad if Pa would come.
We have nothing of interest to write.
I would be glad to see you and all the rest of the family.
Tell Aunt Varchus that I cannot have time now to write, but I will write to her sometime soon.
Tell Pa that I am well now.
When you write, direct your letters this way:
Corporal W. H. Harden
Savannah, Georgia
Care of Capt. D. N. Martin
Company G, Gordon’s Regiment
Georgia Volunteers
I can’t think of nothing to write, so I will close my dear.
Good-bye for this time.
Yours, etc.
W. H. Harden
When this you see, remember me.