Black & White’s Station, Va.
April 22nd 1865
Dear Brother,
Your letter of the 28th of last month arrived safe to hand a few days since and I will now answer it and take a small sheet of paper so that I can fill it. Now in the first place I will inform you in regard to those articles which you sent to my address. The suspenders arrived safe to their destination. The handkerchief I have not received. I suppose some evil disposed person took the liberty to open the paper which contained it and finding the handkerchief thought that a good excuse for retaining the whole. Well never mind. I am abundantly supplied now for I have picked up two since we started on this campaign.
By the way we have been doing some big business in this vicinity since I wrote to you last. The fact is we have cleaned out what Rebs flourished in this State and we now have the whole say ourselves. It is our humble opinion that the war is about played out and we think also that there is a prospect of our all being discharged in the course of a few months. We have some pretty hard times in this campaign but feel abundantly rewarded for all the hardships which we have undergone. The casualties in our regiment are very few—some five or six killed. We had two wounded in our company. Hub Ham is with his company at present and is enjoying good health and spirits. I haven’t seen John McGinley lately but I guess he is alright. we are encamped at present on the Southside Railroad at a place called Black & White’s Station and doing nothing in particular.
I received a letter from Wilber yesterday. Mother’s health is not very good. I think according to all accounts that we are going to have another brother or a sister. In wilber’s letter was a note from Father asking me to send him money to buy a barrel of flour. He said that his health was poor and that he had not been able to earn much the past winter. I sent him a ten dollar bill and a five to Mother for I thought she would be likely to need it now as much as at any other time. If it was not for her, I should have but very little sympathy for Father for reasons which you doubtless understand. Well, if I don’t look out, I shall fill two sheets. My health continues to be very good and I hope that this will find you enjoying the same blessing.
Are you not mad with yourself for not taking the big bounty? You are not the only one that probably feels the same way. Remember me to Edwin & Hick and give my respects to everyone who enquires for me. Write as soon as convenient. From your affectionate brother, — Albert C. Brown
To Franklin Brown, Manchester, New Hampshire
Spared & Shared 21 