1865 January 19 Camp Russell

My own dearest Mother

Hip. Hip. Hip. Hoorah, three
cheers and a vieva. I've got good news for you. I'm comng
home on a furlow shure. What has hitherto been a thing
of fear and doubt with me, is now a cert^'a'inty. Col. Birdseye
has promised me a furlow, and I am coming home with him
next month, most probably, in three or four weeks, perhaps
I shall go as his orderly, if so, I may possibly stay with
you more then fifteen days; at any rate John Morse offered
me five dollars for my chance. You must have heard
ere this of Friend Chapman's death. David Decker heard
that he was in the hospital sick, and came down to
Winchester to see him; but found to his dismay that he had
been dead several days; his, seems to us to be the most sad

[p.2]
death; of any that has occurred among us: it is truly lamentable
situated as he was. the only son, and only brother; he was a
genial, good-natured boy, and was beloved by us all. I feel
truly to symphathize with his bereaved friends at home, at his
early death; he was indeed speedily fallen; another victim on
his country's altar; yet it is a noble death; for "greater love
hath no man, than to lay down his life for his friends."

As I sat in my little cabin the other eve, preparing
my simple repast of hard-tack and salt-horse, the Colonel
brought to my tent David Decker: imagine my surprise at
seeing him before men, as of old, in propria persona; we
had quite a little visit, during the conversation Birdsye
asked me if I would like a furlow home. I readily responded
Yea, my lord; he said I could have one soon, but if I would
wait until next month, I might go with him. I told

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him I would wait then; so you may put it down as a
settled thing. (Providence permitting. deo-volente.) that I shall
make you a visit next month. I supose you rec'd.
my letter from Orderly Cole, as well as, all our camp news.
don't the folks make quite a raid on Mr. Erdman and Cole.

Finally, after much tribulation, the long-looked-for
box on one fingered mittens has arrived: they came too, in
an opportune moment, as it is quite cold weather with us
at present, and I think it was the very next day after they
arrived, we were ordered down to Harpers Ferry to guard
two batteries of artillery, and a five mile wagon train:
then indeed, did the mittens come into use, and the Ladies
Aid Society, was kindly thought of, by many a brave
cavalier: as Quarter Master of the company, the box came into
my care during Mr. Erdman's absence: knowing what was

[p.4]
the contents I took the responsibility to open it, and by the
approval of Lieut. Bell comanding our company, I distributed
them to the Fayetteville boys in all three companies. (F.G.&H.)
the most of whom are in our co. H. I also saw that
the packages were delivered, and sent Herbert Lord's to him
in the 22nd N.Y. Cav: he was here yesterday, by the way.
he comes over here often and makes us little visits each time.
he is soon to be promoted to Sergt. Major. which is a good
position: Herbert will be home on a furlow, about the
same time I intend to come: we intend to have a good
time, if we ever do get in F. again.

I have been so very busy making my shantie
that I haven't written as regular of late as I intend to here-
after, please pardon the digression and write soon and often
to Your loving and affect. son Hervey.

[Written in left and top margins on page 2:]
Addison Cunningham has returned from the hospital looking first
rate, he has since been detached to Custer's Hd. quarters, and has got a

[Written in top margin on page 3:]
good easy position: tell his mother about it. H.E.E.

1865 January 5, Camp Russell

Dearest Mother,

I had intended
to have written you long ere this,
but I have been kept so very busy,
and on the constant qui vive, of
late, that it has been almost
impossible. After receiving your
last, stating that James was on
his way towards the front, I had
been looking daily for his appearance;
finally; a week ago today, after
I had given up all hopes of seeing
him, he turned up. He came
in the morning and staid nearly
all day, as he had walked from
Winchester, three miles - he had quite
an appetite; we went to work
and cooked up some salt-horse, &c.
and had the satisfaction of seeing him
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eat a good sub^'s'tantial meal; he
vowed it was the best one he
had partaken of in a long time
but still you know we dident
believe him. towards evening
Birdseye, James and I went down
to Winchester, where I staid all
night with him, and saw him
off the next morning; it seemed
quite singular to eat again at a
table, and sleep in a bed with my
clothes off, after five months absence
from them; as it was I slept awful
cold between the cotton sheets, and
caught a head cold, which I
haven't yet got over.

James said it was quite
different here from what he
had supposed, but in what
respect I don't know, he will
probably tell you all about his
experiences and impressions while
among us, when he returns.

[p.3]
When he went to Winchester Col.
Birdseye lent him a horse, and
by a good deal of urging we at
last got him to ride, but it was
with fear and trembling, as he said
it was twelve years since he had
been in a saddle. We let the Col.
go ahead and make several calls
while he and I walked our horses
to town; I don't think James would
make much of a Cavelier, he
would hardly keep his seat in
some of our charges, or endure some
or our raids. Colonel B. is going
home about the 15th and in the
presence of James and myself, he said
I should accompany him. Herbert
Lord was over here to-day. he goes
home to-morrow, John Morse is going
in a day or two. so you see that
about all of us boys are likely to
get home this Winter.

Well what do you think of

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Peace? Do you believe there is
much of any thing in it?

Mr. Erman is quite hoeful
he says "he wouldent be surprised
if peace was declared to-morrow,
because when such moral victories
as was gained in the Senate last
week, takes place, - the abolition of all
serfdom - there will be no need of
any more with shot and shell."

God grant that we may
speedily have a peace on honorable
terms and or not other.

We have been having
some most awfully cold weather,
the coldest that has been known
here in years by the oldest inhabitants.

Last Wednesday we had a grand
review of all the Cavalry Corps. here in
the valley. we all passed before, and were
inspected by Sheridan in person.

I have been very busy indeed
drawing this months clothing for the Co.

I am trying to get every thing squared
up, so as to come home with nothing
to weigh on my mind.

[Written in side margin on page 4:]
I wish you would send me Elliot's address if you can get it
I haven't heard a word from him. Please write soon to your affect son
Hervey.

Lieutenant Colonel Mortimer B. Birdseye

1865 January 3 Camp Russell

Dear Mother

As Orderly Cole is going home on a
furlow tomorrow, I embrace the opportunity to send a few
lines to you; he and Mr. Erdman go this time, when they get
back, some one else will have a chance to go; perhaps I
may be able to come and make you a fifteen day visit before
Spring, but I will have to work it pretty sharp, for all
the boys are crazy to get home this Winter.

We moved here a day or two ago, and have gone into
Winter Quarters; we are awful busy, building our log
shebangs as we call them; it is an amusing sight to see
a regt. build their quarters, making fire-places, and chimneys,
chinking up between the logs, etc. we shall probably remain
here three or four months, perhaps until along in May --
We have had some stormy and very cold weather for a few

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days past. New Year's Day was the coldest we have had.
James and Lizzie gave me a good account of
theirs and your presents, you must have had a gay
time; I think Lizzie in the long run had her
share; tell Ira I want hm to write me a long
letter and tell me how his skates run, and what
he got in his stocking Christmas. The day I recd.
your last with Ira's, I rec'd one from Jennie
with one in it written by Nellie Rice, thus you see I
am favored with lots of little folks letters.
I think I am going to have easier times hereafter
then I have been having; Lieut. Bell comdg. our co.
tells me not to go out on raids with the Co. but
to remain back and attend to the Co. property; The
last time we were out there were three sets of
equipment lost, $90. out of his or somebodys else

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Jacket; it is utterly useless for me to go out on
these raids with the boys. I am not supposed to
do any fighting, and unless there is grain or forage to
be issued, (and there scarcely ever is) my presence is
not necessary; it will save me a good deal of
hard rideing. A.L. Cunningham has been heard
from, he got in one of the hospitals at Winchester and
has been sent back either to Baltimore or Philadelphia.

How did the boys succeed with their Concert?
did you attend? Did they realize much for the
soldiers families? I hope my family (wife and brats all
included) will get their share. Excuse the brevity
of this, roll call has just blown and I must close.
Please write me soon, and tell me what was going
on during the holidays.

From your affect son Hervey