Charles Hogan to Andrew and Ruth Fletcher, 1863 March 25
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I take the opportunity of writing a few lines to assure you that I have not
forgotten you & your family your precepts & good examples in
regard to my health I will first remark that it is excellent for me considering
the sickness I have undergone for the past two years you
recalled of hearing the Rev Amos Williams relate to you the resolutions I formed
& the promises I made in Morrisville now perhaps the question may arise
in your minds have you lived up to them
Well in answer I would say
that I have not at all times forbut you cannot imagine the influence of a Co. of
men of all characters & Situated in such a manner that a person is
obliged obliged to asociate with the good as well as the bad
notwithstanding I think if it had not been for my enlisting together with the sickness I have undergone both
I entered in the army
& since that never would have seen my lost condition there is one or two
in the Co. that always have had a regard for religion & I used to
delight in praying with them in secret Enos is well I must tell you that I have
always felt a nearness to him more than any one else the other night he
& I had a good Season of prayer
in Rear of the camp it done my
soul good to hear him pray I told him then I
must should write to you & tell you of the proceedings
for I must Confess that I always regarded & exteemed you as being in one
sense a father & mother to me & I hop hope god will
reward you both for the many good advices you gave me there is a revival in the
Regt our little group No.s 12 or 13 & many others are so deeply
of their sins that they have omitted swearing gambling
& the like & seem to pay Some attention to divine worship I hope
& pray that Enos will continue to take a part in our little meetings for
he has such a mighty influence in this Co. & Regt that he would be the
means gathering to the fold of Christ he truly is beloved by the
officers &
Men he so good to take care of a Sick person he has
been appointed Corporal & if there is a vacancy he will certainly be
promoted higher I hope to have your prayers & good wishes in the future
that I may be faithful to the end god being my help one word to Craig &
I will close well Craig how do you prosper in these times of war well I hope but
here I am on Santa Rosa Island it is a mere sand bar 42 miles long &
averages half a mile wide we are Seven miles from Pensacola our Camp is on the
western extremity of the Island half a mile in rear of fort Pickens you must
write to me & tell me all the news how you get along
[snearing] & Co well Craig you know I always
esteemd you as my brother & I think you did me now if you do not want to become religous I entreat of you to try
& lead a steady moral life take this as an advice from your best friend
& well wisher well Dear father & mother as I will take the
liberty to call you please write soon & often I send my love Ella
& Adella & Alison & to you
yours trulyCharles Hogan