“Such is there desire to see home once more that they sacrifice most all their lifetime here for the purpose of spending a few days with those they love at home”

Camp at Warrenton Junction VA

[Saturday,] February 20, 1864

Dear Clara,

I received your letter last evening and was glad to hear from you that you was all so well. My health at present is good but most of the Boys are complaining with bad colds. We have had a dreadful cold snap of weather here for the last week. It has been the coldest time I think I have ever seen in Virginia. I almost froze to death in my bed. We have suffered a considerable [amount] from the effects of it. But it has moderated down now so it is somewhat comfortable.

You wished to know what I was doing last Sunday. I have forgotten, but I suppose it was the same old routine of duty. I will tell you what I have been doing this morning. The first thing I knew this morning the drums awoke me from a sound slumber. Then I got up and answered to my name at roll call and then came into my tent and built a fire and sat shivering around it until it got warm. Then I took some pork and fried it and had breakfast: dried apples sauce, fried pork, coffee and bread. Then I warmed some water and washed my face and hands and combed my hair, and then sat down and wrote a letter for Charlie and now I am writing this for you, for I expect to go on picket this afternoon.

I got a letter from Charlie with yours and it is quite a curiosity, especially the drawings. You wanted to know what I have heard about Sarah. Come to find it is supposed to of happened before they was married, something about her and George Keiser. But I can’t hardly believe it anyway. I pay so little attention to it that I never think of it.

We don’t hear or see anything of the paymaster yet. There is a great deal of talk about the 146 reenlisting. They talk about 11 hundred dollars and thirty days furlough, but it don’t affect me in the least. I don’t know how true it is, but there is a great deal of talk about it in Camp at present. A great many that was consolidated into our Regt have reenlisted. That thirty day furlough has a strong effect upon most all the army around. Such is there desire to see home once more that they sacrifice most all their lifetime here for the purpose of spending a few days with those they love at home.

I don’t know of much news to write. Everything has been quiet around here for some time past. Hoping to hear from you soon again, I will close. Give my respects to all enquiring friends. Take good care of your health and little ones.

From your husband with love,

P.L. Dumont

Write soon