Brandy Station V. a. March 23d A D 1864

Brandy Station V. a. March 23d A D 1864

My Dear Auntyour kind and most welcome letter of the 14th came to hand late this evening and I have just seated myself by my Candle to answer it. I was truely glad to hear that the majority of your loved family was well but very sorry that William is sick but I hope that he will be well again before this miserable scrawl reaches you. I believe I did not tell you in my last letter that I was well the reason of this was that I forgot to tell you the state of my health because I was so well that it never entered my mind to enlighten you on this subject so after this if I should be so careless as to forget it again be assured that I am well for when I am not well I will not fail to let you know and while I am on the health subject I will tell you that at present I am enjoying my full share of health for which I am very thankful. for it is one of the greatest blessings that we poor mortals enjoy in this world of sorrows I have not recieved any letters from Wesley for a long time although I have written to him a good while ago and recieved no answer I hope that he is well and all O. K. probably his regiment has been on the move for sometime and likely this is the reason that we have not heard from him oftener. you say that you dont wish to ask impossibilities of me but you wish me to write to you as often a I can I know dear Aunt that you are the last person that would ask any person to perform an impossible task and much less to me. I know also that sometimes I am too careless about writing to you and thus no doubt I have caused you uneasiness but my loved Aunt all such short comings in me is faults of the head but not of the heart for as long as life lasts this heart of mine shall ever treasure up thy memory and thy numberless acts of motherly kindness to me shall never be forgotten. After this I shall write to you whenever I can possibly do so. It is impossible for me to tell you how thankful I am to you for preventing Jasper from volunteering I dont mind the hardships that I have to endure but the thoughts of my dearBrother going to the army distresses me very much for he is too young small and inexperienced for soldiering. Yesterday a heavy snowstorm commenced to fall and todaythe snow lies several inches deep on the ground. The health of our Regiment is good. We have preaching every night at the Brigade Chapel by the Chaplains belonging to the various Regiments that composes our Brigade we also have prayer in our shanty every night except when we are on duty. Please excuse this bad writing for I have been snow balling so much today that my are is sore and my fingers are contrary. if I remember right I have answered all the letters that I have recieved from William. give love to Uncle George and the children and accept the love and best wishes of your affectionate NephewDavid Close To his AuntRachel Dunbar