Page 224 - People & Places In Time

Addendum
A second letter followed later that month. Camp of 50th Va. Regt
April 30th, 1864
Respected Lide
I take pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your kind and much appreciated letter which I fortunately received yesterday, it brought some good news, some bad and also assured me that I occupied a small place in that large circle honored by your Kind friendship. I was truly glad to hear that but few yan- kees were in East Tenn, and I do hope the remaining few will be driven away ere long, I am sorry to hear of the death of Sam’l Jessee, Accidents will happen and death make its appearance in every imaginary form.
Spring has made its appearance. Its sunny smiles driving the snow and ice from the mountain tops, its warm showers causing the Buds and fragrant Flowers to burst forth in all their usual beauty,
You well remember only a few years ago when this delightful season lightened all our hearts. Was a luscious fountain of joy for the young and the gay, a time of care and anxiety with the more advanced in years, The Farmer redoubling his energies set himself about his pleasant task to prepare for the use of his household the necessaries of life, The Merchant behind his counter with his crowded shelves quietly awaiting the arrival of a customer, The Old with a pleasing and watchful eye gazed upon the gay and crowded band as it passed before them. But Alas! come to the present how changed. The young instead of hastening with a quick step to the school room repairs with a slow step to replace their Fathers and Brothers in the cornfield, The gay find no pleasure
in store for them, The stronger sex now engaged in the field of strife, The weaker finding themselves alone. I imagine sometimes sit and meditate upon the pleasures enjoyed in time past and sometimes try to ware away the dull moments by busying themselves about the household affairs. The Farmer no longer guides his plough but has left it to rust in the furrow. The Merchant long since laid aside his ledger now covered with dust gathered from an uninhabited room. All left their homes to fight the Battles of our Confederacy and drive the vandals from our land. The mother with a heavy heart toils all day long
to procure the many necessaries for the subsistence of their little family and when her daily labor is completed offers up her fervent prayer to God for the protection of her husband or son and their safe and speedy return to her embrace before closing her eyes for Sleep. As the autumn foretells the approach of winter, which is to consume what the summer yields so this Spring foretells the approach of a summers campaign which I fear will consume the lives of many of the good and brave sons of the sunny South who have grown up in the last 40 years and also destroy the happiness and future hope of many care- worn Mothers, true and anxious lovers
... (He continues with details about what he is seeing and his hopes of victory in Virginia and beyond).
“Raise the curtain and glance at the many pleasures in store for all who survive this war. Imagine that we are a free and Independent people enjoying the liberty for which so many offer their lives a sacrifice to obtain, Peace and quietude prevailing throughout this Confederacy again. The army disbanded and all returned to their beloved home and friends. Who is it who would not be proud to say he was a soldier of the Confederate army, or where is the Lady who would not be proud to say or feel herself honored to know she had a brother or Lover who had wield his sword in defence of his beloved country.
... (He explains everything is quiet on the Rapidan, but says they are prepping for active service. He says rumor says the Yanks are reinforcing heavily and intend to advance upon Richmond immediately, but he does not anticipate a move soon).
I will close for this time, may have something that will interest you next time. Give my kindest regards to Miss Ella, tell her I fulfilled my promise relative to that letter. This leaves all well will expect to hear from you again. You asked for my address. My military address is Capt. Company “G” 50th Va. Regt. 2nd Brigade, Johnson Division, Ewels Corps Army Northern Va.
Allow me to subscribe myself
Your True Friend
Wm P. Duff
The final of the three letters, written in haste on May 6, 1864, describes battles raging around him. Wilderness, Orange Co., Va.
May the 6th 1864
Miss Lide Newland
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