Daniel S. White to Maria E. Howe
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I recd your ever welcome letter day before yesterday and as Lt Howe & myself
we engaged yesterday on the muster and payrolls I did [not]
have time to answer your letter but will do so this morn It is a most beautiful
morning a gentle breath just moving rich foliage of the trees – a dress which
has just been put on. The many forest birds are warbling forth their morning
song which fall in gentle cadences upon the ear making sweet melody in the heart
of even the most casual observer. Who is there that cannot appreciate and admire
the beauties of a scene like this. I cannot describe the beauty of the prospect
nor the feelings which it inspires but I know you can appreciate and admire them
and cannot doubt that you have experienced feelings the same and therefore a
further discription is unneccessary. O! what a pity that a country which has so
many beauties by way of climate and natural scenery should be blighted by the
withering curse of slavery and civil war. That the coming zephyr gentle as
as the breath of the fairest maiden should be loaded with the echo
of booming cannon and exploding shells while the withering blighting curse of
slavery that barrier to human improvements either moral, intellectual, or
physical should contaminate the very air we breathe. When will this state of
things cease? When will right take the scepter of justice and assume the sway? I
hope speedily. I spoke of May being a pleasant month to ride You know the Army
is under marching orders. Some ideas occured to me as I read your question
“Is’nt is awful to die” and under other circumstances I would not speak of it.
People fear a natural death at home where all the comforts of life are to be had
and a large circle of friends to administer to your every want but is it with us
here we may be hit and mortally wounded and lie flat on the cold ground with no
pillow under the aching head and no one to administer one single act of kindness
but all are pressing forward to drive the enemy. May 3d when we were
wounded and cut up so I myself washed the boys wounds and gave them water and
cut off their belts but despite all poor Crosby died all this without friends
and a downy bed to rest on. I cant say that I fear being killed in battle still
I may but it dont seem so but a dread of death naturally takes possession of one
and it seems that a natural death would be only a plesure (i.e. compared to the
horrid death on the field) but see one dying from wounds so common that most all
turn instinct ively away without uttering a word. I do not think you so very
wicked for we all have our faults and I have mine and no sooner do I act wrongly
or do something “Comme il faut” than I am sorry for it
and as you say make any amount of resolutions for the future. O! no Marie I
should be one of the kindest of teachers with no word of reproof for you no matter what you did but the rest would have to “come
to [time]” and that would keep my reputation as a Teacher
good you see for government at least. Dont like the unmarried
principal all because he wears his whisker “a la Burnside” Why that is the
prettiest style out I think Do you think I ought to change to a la Hooker which
is none at all or at least but very few? I am pleased with the high encomiums on
my father in law – excuse me Marie I should say step father which you are
pleased to favor him with Indeed I think he is a nice man what I have seen of
him. Yes I will believe you if you tell me honestly (no joke) that you have
never been in love, but it causes ideas to arise which I fain would suppress and
the question “is her heart of adamant or are her tastes too complicated and
diversified to be suited” In the first place I think on sober second thought
your heart must be susciptible of “tender emotions” therefore I acquit you on
that and taking Dr Bremen
up and laugh. But I am not sure I am proof
against falling in love and therefore I should hardly dare to come home till my
year is out. So you have music schollars I had not heard of that success to you
as a music teacher. You seem to think your letter very bad looking I never look
at the writing in fact in reading your letters It always seems as though I were
listening to to your conversation as spoken and not written I am most happy in the receipt of letters from you
and never look to see whether it is beautifully written or not for that is of
minor importance [first] it is to get one and I should be the
last to wait five minutes to have it rewritten as I am always so ashamed of the
looks of my letters and not unfrequently of the composition that I should be
ungrateful indeed to ask you to rewrite them but write as often as you can –
anything you choose and as plainly as you choose and I guarantee I shall be but
too happy to receive it
I do not know how soon we will march but
think it may be before long but where I dont know You must be very careful and
while you are hoarse I would not try to sing much as it is the worst thing that
can be done for the voice so says eminent writers on”cultivation & care of
the voice” Lt Howe is well Sergt Beckwith was bitten by a snake a few days since
but he is alive and well now but we feared for his life the day he was bitten
The Co are quite healthy now and the men are in good spirits. Our division only
are here and the corps is farther toards Mannassas. Lt Spafford Janies brother
staid with us all day a few days since also Azro White & Geo. Clark the
concert singers with whom you you are doubtless acquanted Please give my regards
to all and accept a quota for yourself Please write soon. I must make out a
Descriptive list so good bye. The mail goes out in a few minutes.
I am Very Truly Your Friend Daniel S. White