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Camp Paxton May 24th 1863
My Dear Annie,
The long looked for letter came to hand a day or two since, and, it seems you also have been waiting with some suspense. I had begun to suspect as much. I have written twice since the battle, this making the third time. I also wrote just before the Battle and from your silence in regard to some information given you, I think you never got any of them except the last one which I hope and trust has reached your ere this. I have been in great suspense since the last month. I have been expecting orders that would relieve me from duty, but, they have not come yet but expect them this week, either to relieve me altogether or assign me to duty in some other department.
So you thought I was wounded. I had heard that a dispatch had gone to Staunton reporting a Capt. Martin with other wounded but thought nothing of it - did not think you would see it or did not know that the name was in connection with Maj. Huston's. There are a good many Martins in service, but, I do not know to whom the dispatch referred. I was near the battle while it was going on, but of course, I kept out of danger as much as possible, as far as I know, but men are wounded and killed when considered in safe places. When there are so many bullets and so many men some are apt to be hit. I am glad to hear that you got through the Yankee raid some well, or so much better some others have done although it is terrible at best.
The weather is warm and sultry. Water very bad. We live on peas and bread and Meat. We are all tired of Bacon - have only had fresh beef once since I returned to camp from furlough. My dried fruit has been a great help to us. We are getting a few onions from Richmond at 25 cents apiece. I got two dollars worth and they made us a nice fry for breakfast.
If I am relieved I intend to bring sugar home. It now sells for 8 $ per pound and we get plenty. In your last letter you did not mention Robbie at all, hope he has gotten well. When you see Hugh, tell him he must leave a place in his company for me.
I expect we shall have another fight erelong. The Yankees have got to make an effort to retrieve this lost fortune. Our real loss in the last battle is much less than published accounts. Every Regiment likes to have the credit of being in the hottest of the fight (after it is over) so they publish as lost every man that received the slightest scratch or slight bruise. I saw several names among the lost that were on duty again before the list was published. General Lee has had to issue an order to the effect that only those really wounded are to be counted in the lost and must not give the strength of the Regiment when they went into the fight. I will write again as soon as I can ascertain where I am to go. Write soon.
From your Affectionate Husband
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