1863may21

 1863 May 21

Thunderbolt Battery

May 21, 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 well at this time, but I am sleepy, hoping these lines may reach and find you all well and doing well.

I received the money that you sent by Mrs. Benson, five dollars, and I was glad to get it, as we have not drawn any yet and I may get the chance to come home.

I have not had a letter in two weeks nearly, so I am about to have the fidgets worse than you did.

I went out yesterday seven or eight miles on the steamboat and took a squad of five men and stood picket in sight of the Yankees at Fort Pulaski.  I could see their flag and their guard tent.  It was the first place of danger that I have ever been in.  We could see the smoke from their boats and hear them beat the drum.

The weather is a little cold and the wind is blowing.  We do guard duty now about twice a week here.

We killed a very large alligator this morning as we were coming to the camps.  As we were trying to lift him into the boat, we saw another one but it is against the orders to shoot.  The Captain wounded the one we got, none of us being allowed to shoot.

Jane, I hope you will write to me often.  It gives me more pleasure than anything else.

If I get to come home, I will tell you a heap of little funny things and some not so funny.  I could, however, find enough to talk about the rest of my life without staying in the Army any longer, but I am obliged to obey orders.

I will close.

Good-bye Jane and Mollie.  Be of good cheer.  The Lord will provide!

I remain as ever, yours in love.

W. H. Harden

Mrs. Nancy. J. Harden

Milner, Georgia

From Corporal W. Harden

Company G

63rd Regiment

Georgia Volunteers