D.S. White: May 1864
Head Qrs. Co. "I" 2nd Regt. Vt. Vols.
May 1864
Gen. orders No. 25
My own Dearest Wife,
I received your ever welcome letter tonight dated "Head Qrs. of Light Infantry Putney, Vt. April 28th 1864," and I was very glad my wife to hear from you and learn of your improved state of health and I do hope that while I am out rise you will at least be blessed with good health and then I can feel easy about if I know you are contented and happy. You will at least try won't you my wife and be happy while I am here? Well I was very much pleased with your picture and I think it very good. "O! you, you put your hair in papers didn't you" It's a decided improvement I think my wife. I asked Capt. Ballou if he would like to see my wife? Said he should showed him the old one and the new one and he thought you did not look as you used to and wished to know if it changed every one as much as it had you-I told him I did not know as you had changed any only you were not hardly as lively as when we boarded there. Said I had got to give him your picture told him I could not as those were the only pictures I had of my wife- don't think he will ever get one by my giving it to him for it would be put up in some "house" as his wife the first I know and I don't wish any man to have my wife's picture who visits a "house" at all. I am very glad you have gone a visiting and hope you will continue and I will tell you where to go if you can't think where to go. I believe you are under contract to visit Mother when you return. I wrote Mother Bates you were coming to make her a visit when you returned from Brattleboro. Mother says she is very lonesome and often looks at those bottles used to drain the cider in and wishes we were all there together to drink cider again.
I wouldn't object my wife, would you? I too think early spring a little dull but when the leaves begin to spring out and the birds sing and the flowers present thin variegated hues to the eye. I think it the most pleasant season of the year for it reminds one of youth when the mind is light and buoyant and the spirits vivacious and no trouble hangs like a dark pall over the mind. I remember will what reflections and impressions I had when I saw these beauties of nature of what I would do when I was a man. I never dreamed of a war among ourselves or that I would ever witness a battle or much less participate in one, but we see by this how short sighted we are and how little we know of the future or the manner in which we may be affected by it and it is well we do not. Those remembrances are among the happiest of my life, yet I little knew I was happy, but was constantly looking forward to the time when I should be a man and act for myself, but I think even in this could I only be with my wife I could be perfectly happy, but for awhile at least I must for go the pleasures of her society. I haven't got any of the sitting photographs of me and but two of any kind and they are not very good. Ha ha by "painful experience" substitute "pleasurable" vice "painful" can't you my wife? So you got a new dress well you won't have it cut low in the neck I suppose shall you my wife. Sergt. Taylor may like the style of the blue thin but not now - ha ha. Well that is nice I'm sure "leaps white you are detailed for fatigue tomorrow to report at 7A.M. with one days rations." Isn't that consoling my wife? Don't know how far I have got to go to do my days work. Come and go with me my wife and I'll l learn you how to march and carry your haversack with dinners and supplies in it. No, you will eat from my haversack if you will go? I'll put you in command of the whole detail and let you "drive." Please give my regards to Father and Mother, Emmy& Reasy, Grandpa and Grandmother & Sarah and all who may inquire after me. Heaven guide you my wife and account the whole love of your devotee.
Husband D.S.
