Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
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I recd your ever welcome epistle day before yesterday and but owing to the fact
that I had to go on Picket duty I did not have an opportunity of answering it
until now. We returned about two hours ago bringing in 6 prisoners about
Revellie a poor negro woman with one small child in her arms and a little boy by
her side came to my sentry (my detail being the furthest out and consequently
the most responsible post) and wanted to pass but she had no pass and on telling
her that she must go back again she began to cry and tremble in every limb
saying that her master would kill her as he had oft threatened to do
if she attempted to leave “Please sir take me and kill me but do not let me go
back into my masters hands.” I was touched to the quick by her supplications but
the most mercy that I could show her was to make a prisoner of her and sending
her to head Qrs which I did. about 10’oclock two ladies came along after the
runaway but I foiled their first attempt but the second I could not foil and
there fore I had 2 white ladys and a colored lady as prisoners on
my post and on one other the rest of them were taken amounting to 6. I had to go
without my breakfast this morning for
I went after it I found that a
large blood hound was “fastening his deadly fangs upon it.” There! There!!
There!!! A signal cannon, an attack? How mournfully it sounds as it passes over
our camp I must go more after “I attend the call” 1/2 past 5 no attack but all
is still we are all ready to march belts on and blankets ready to put on teams
harnessed. You may expect that we’ll have a battle in a few days as I understand
that the rebels are constructing a battery not 2 miles from here. You will find
the 2nd Vt at her post ready and willing to put down this unnatural rebellion
You may expect a letter as soon as a battle
takes place for I
suppose that you have an anxious solicitude for the “dear
One(s)” Gilson is well
He was very weak about the time of our last engagement at Bulls Run and he
generally is if there is anything to do danger or no danger I hear a story is
in circulation in Ludlow that the provision sent in the box was all appropriated
to the use of officers Now for the of those who contributed to fill the
box I would say that such a story has no foundation either in truth or reason
The contents were distributed as nearly alike as could be to every man in the
company and all that was marked to some particular person was delivered over to
him as I help open the box and am supposed to know as much of the matter as any
one The Corpl. is well and in fine spirits he at present is discussing the
merits of some very fine peaches a pleasant pastime surely. Give my warmest
regards to your father and mother Ballou send his regards also my regards to all
who enquire after me I should have labored a little in the composition of my
letter had I known it would have been published but never the less it was not
published in the N Y Herald you are at liberty at any time to select items if
they of sufficient interest
In haste
Very Truly Your Obt Svt D.S. White
I gratefully acknowledge the receipt of the strawberries which you sent us and pronounce them very nice indeed Direct as heretofore play the harp piece for me if ill come over tonight if there’s no attack? Please sing Annie [Laurie] for me although absent I can appreciate the spirit and beauty of the piece.