Camp in the Mud near Culpepper VaApr 3d 1864My dear Wife-

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The mail has just come in and brought me yours and Helens letters dated Mar 30th.

I have not opened a letter since I left home with so much timid fear as this. Your last gave me reason to fear that the children were quite sick, and I feared that Helen might have the lung from. But thank God my fears were groundless. I can tell you I feel a great relief when I saw Helens hand writing, for I know that she could not be very sick to be able to write to me. I breath freer.

I am glad that Mr Baker was so well pleased with his visit. We were certainly pleased with theirs. I am really glad you had such a good time at the Sugar party, and only regret that I was not there with you But the best of it all, was that you brought some to the children. I dont care what it

cost. They have little enough of the sweets of life at the best, and to deprive them of so simple a thing would be cruel indeed.

It seems as though I can see that little fellow just starting to go up stairs to bed with a glow of pride and manliness in his sweet countenance. I often think of the time when I was at home of his going up stairs in the dark and saying, "Jake a []> I aint." He certainly is a noble little fellow, but no more so in his way than the others in theirs. Each have their own peculiarities and excelent qualities. I can stand them up in a row and look at them and steady them at this distance separately and form a true estimate than if I was with them. I really feel proud of them all, and I love them all alike. And you the mother of them God only knows how much I love you and how dear you are to me This may look silly to you at my age to express myself in such terms, but I feel it and

it does me good to express it, and if I should be taken from you you would then appreciate more fully.

You enquire why I do not seek for more pay? Because it would be useless, as they have got the whip now of me. I am in the eyes of the government but a deep in the bucket, and if I dont like it it makes no differance with them. Again the differance is trifling in the pay of a Lt and a Capt.

I have just been out to me a sick soldier and when I started to leave him he gave me a [] cake of Maple sugar that he received from home to day. I often receive such gifts from the boys. Though they are more trifles yet they express a great deal.

You express much satisfaction I have such good quarters, but I think your [] will fall when you have learn that I have been obliged to leave them. [] did I can assure you when we were ordered to march. The Chaplain

and I have been as cross as two bears ever since and scolded like two old varigoes but nobody is afraid. After all we make ourselves quite comfortable and have our cozy chats.

We have not been paid off yet as we expected, but hope we shall be before long. As for news I have none. We had quite a snow storm yesterday, and the Blue ridge mountains are as white to day as you ever see the Green hills of Vermont. It has been quite pleasent to day and I have been cleaning up my Hospital grounds, &c and I am some tired to night Dr Clark slipped off this morning without my leave and has not returned yet which has made my labours more arduous. He will find that I will not submit to much conduct quietly. How did you like the article of mine in the News? entitled Relation between Citizen and Soldier. There will be another in this weeks paper signed x If I have time I will write to Helentomorrow. Give my love to the children and kiss them all for me. I send a paper to Kittie to night. God bless you all.

Your affectionate husbandJ.C. Rutherford

I have written quite often lately, do you get my letters?