Turner, James. "Letter to My Dearest Darling from Husband." (1862) Rice University: https://hdl.handle.net/1911/75599. [[page 1]] [[embossed mark image]] [[marginalia - top left ]] Capt. A. told me last night that Rev. M. McKay was to preach to us on the fifth Sunday of August See him if You have anything to say to me of a particular nature Very well this morning -- Camp. 2 miles from Kinston. August 17th 1862 - Dearest Darling, Being again established in camp my first inclination and duty is to write to you of myself. I am perfectly well, my love, in body, and as easy in mind as usual, as much so as I came be under the existing circumstances, my absence from all I love on earth. Yesterday I received your letter of Wednesday. 4th inst, telling me of yours & the children’s good health-- and many things that I like to hear from you, and as all of your letters do the assurance of your dear affection I was so glad to hear of my little daughters rapid improvement both in health and in her consideration for her mothers patience and powers of endurance, for I really thought when I was at home the trouble the children gave you would wear out your life too soon if continued. This often troubles me now, my love, Already I fear your health has been affected, and the worry of the children has taken away much of my sweet wife’s vivacity, and sprightliness. Can husband say anything in his absence to cheer you up? One thing you may ever rely on, my darling, the sincere love of your husband, and I believe the children will be affectionate loving daughters that will soon be great assistance to you and I hope a source of pride to us both. [[page 2]] My dear wife while I am away I want you to beguile the time by all the ways that will make it pleasant, play those tunes I use to think you played so sweetly, and do not forget your music for it will be a source of pleasure to us & the children when we can be together again -- walk about with the children in the same old haunts we use to frequent together when you were my sweet cousin, - read, and do not confine yourself to those old books you have read so often but send to Raleigh to Pomeroy for anything you want that is new or that you have not read -- do anything to dispel the gloomy thoughts of our unhappy separation, & relieve your mind from the continual anxiety about our dear children -- They can run & play walk & talk to mother and be happy while you will be less careworn, and will have many things to tell husband -- Mother & Sister will have great cause to blame me when we see them, if I suffer my darling & their darling to pine away her life which was once supported by the most joyous & happy spirit I ever knew -- If my letters can aid any in restoring your liveliness, & I believe you put more stores on them than I think they are worth, I will write as regularly as I can Cheer up my sweetheart, this war cannot last always & I believe I will be spared to you, though the other two have been taken away, which formed the happy trio at College -- [[page 3]] I was very sorry to hear of our friend’s Dr. McD. Illness-- He has ever been a friend, a good one, to me and used to be an admirer of you I always believed. Our country has no better man than he is, and the country as well as the family will lose a valuable man if he should die -- I hope he may be left to the already afflicted family -- -- Last Sunday I saw Lt. Cook of Fayetteville a schoolmate & roommate at Summerville, and Sam Pipkin both of the McMill Partizan Rangers -- you know. Sam seems to be in good health and says he can stand the service, thinks he will bring Mrs P. down to his Aunts in Duplin, where she will be only 20 miles from their camp. They are at a place called Richlands in Onslow Co Atkins Cameron was amongst those who had to run from the Yankees - & also Mr Foy, Dr. John McKays wife’s brother. Lt. Baker of our Regt was along with a few men of his, Capt Strange’s Co. and had started on a scout -- met the Yankee and had to run. Five men kept just far enough ahead to watch them, Foy was one, the rest ran their horses all the way to Trenton – It was below Trenton on the east side of the Trent River, and near the same place where we lost the first man we had killed -- The Yankees followed them nearly into Trenton and did come on and occupy the town after firing one shot & shell into the town -- [[page 4]] Sam says Bill McKay is the most homesick man in the company and says he wants to see Lucy and the baby -- A few days ago he found him leaning on the well curb and asked him what was the matter he said he was “very serious, that he wanted to go home”. Sam says, Bill does not like to go out on a scout and will change horses with any one that has a horse not fit to ride to keep from going -- I opened my trunk to see my clothes this morning and found that a pear had rotted in the folds of my confederate coat and badly soiled it in several places. I had never worn it, was keeping it so as to wear it home to see you, (for the first time) unless some extraordinary occasion called for use sooner. I will take it to Kinston tomorrow and see if I can have the stain extracted-- The worst stain is on the breast & back where it will show most prominently-- I am sorry for this but hope it will come out. Tell me what to use to clean it -- Many clothes are a disadvantage in camp -- as they are so apt to get soiled and mildewed -- by getting wet while moving - ---- Our camp is not below Kinston but two miles east I believe or north east - of the town and in a nice old field pine grove -- This is a cool pleasant evening - autumn-like and makes me feel like being at home ---- Old Mr Andrews came down a day or two since and is here now -- He is some what sadder but has the resignation of a true Christian -- Capt A is again in command -- Is pleased you know. Col W. is sick in Goldsboro & likely to die -- What a hard time the Regt has -- Now darling I must close -- My love to all - the family - we will go on picket again in a few days -- I will write again first, and also to some of the rest -- Kisses for Mother & babies -- An embrace from your loving Husband --