Albert Brown, 15 March 1865

Camp of the 16th Maine Volunteers
March 15, 1865

Dear Aunt [Mary P. Brown],

I received your letter this morning and was very glad to hear from you as usual. The papers arrived yesterday morning. We are expecting orders to move every minute so I thought I would write you a line in answer to your letter for maybe I shan’t have a chance again very soon. It looks a little like rain and it may put a stop to our moving but if it don’t storm, I think we will have to move soon—which way, I do not know. It may be on the Southside Railroad and it may be somewhere else.

I received a letter from Frank with yours this morning. He gave me a very minute description of his visit and I should think that he enjoyed himself finely by the way he writes. I believe I have no news to write. My health is very good but that is no news, I believe.

I don’t know whether I shall have to go into a fight or not but I think it very likely that I shall. It is no worse for me than for thousands of others who have to go.

That John McGindley who came out here with me and who was captured by the guerrillas made his escape from them and they last letter I got from home they stated that he was home on a furlough. I suppose he will be back to the regiment again shortly. I am very much obliged to you for the papers you sent me. They help to pass away a great many hours pleasantly which would otherwise drag heavily.

Gen. Sheridan & Sherman have been doing very good business lately in annihilating the Rebs. This army has not done much except to hold the lines this winter and it is no more than fair for us to go to work now. The armies are all closing in upon the enemy and it is my opinion that they can’t hold out much longer—at least I sincerely hope that is the case. Give my love to all the folks and accept a good share yourself. Write as soon as convenient.

From your nephew, — Albert C. Brown