MS 755 - Brigham Family Papers Transcripts (May - July 1864)

May 28, 1864

In the breast works on the front line near Dallas Ga
May 28th/64

My Dear Wife

My facilities for writing are not very good, but I will try and send you a few lines. I wrote you last from near the Elowah river and marched from there on the 23rd. Crossing a portion of the Altoona range. And arriving in front of the enemy on the 26th Some which we have been (-----) constantly under fire, but have not been closely engaged. Last night we mobbed into the works from which I am now writing we have been exchanging bullets with the enemy all day. Several of us have had some very narrow escapes but thanks to good breast works and a kind providence we have not been injured The bullets however are whistling very close, probably ten or more have struck within four or five feet of me since I commenced this. 25 not very pleasant but we are getting used to it. So that it does not make us nervous I sent back all our buggys from Kingston, and this is the last sheet of paper I have I do not know when you will hear from me again. I do not know whether you would own me or not if you should see me now in my present condition. My clothes being considerably (-----) with the sacred soil of Ga - I have not rec'd any letters from you that were written since the 8th of May I am anxious to hear from you You do not say anything in your last about something I would like to be informed upon that subject. I sincerely hope that my pet has (-----) (------), ere this, that his paws were groundless. It is impossible to say what will be the result of this campaign, but I do hope it will be a great success for our arms. I do not think that we are going to be paid off in time for me to meet the payment on the lot I bought of Funk. You had better speak to Uncle Joel and have him see funk about it - If the money cant (-----) there - I would be willing to (---) it, if it could be away (--) with me here, but I do not see how it could, and in that case Funk will have to wait. until this campaign is over, With many wishes for your welfare I will close by sending you (-----) this a large quantity of "Love". Please fine my respects to all the folks

I am (----)
Yours Ect
JH Brigham

P.S. Rebel bullets have sprinkled this paper with dust once or twice since I commenced writing

JHB

July 11, 1864

re'd 20 690,000
Monday Eve
July 11th/64

Dear Edna

Your letter of July 1st I have just re'd. It seems so pleasant to get letters from you once more. I have been laying in the shade all day and trying as much as possible to keep cool. Perhaps your pleasant dream may some day be realized. I hope so if it will give you real pleasure. It seems to me that I should be very happy if in our own little room at (--) but I suppose that even then I would, like all mankind, be reaching after something more; riches or fame perhaps. It is the fault of us all to be never satisfied with the present, - I thank you very much "Dear" for remembering that I do not want "my Pet" to use paint, a woman bedau(--) with paint, reminds me too forceably of the hundreds perhaps thousands of frail (-----)(----) crew rimes I have met whtn the streets of our large cities. I can hardly associate loneliness & virtue with paint It certainly robs a woman of even the semblance of childish simplicity & the freshness of youth, and seems to me to be the notice given to the public that the women so old and intriguing trying to palm off the gandy hues of art for nature's rosy freshness. Don't paint my "Darling" I want to think of you as you are fine, lovely, & confident that (------) & deceitful Oh Edna be as woman not a bauble - Are you still such a little "sleepy head" as your used to be, you don't have any body to keep awake at night and wake up in the morning you do you? You had better get enough bed clothes and such things to commence house keeping on a small scale at least. I should be at home one of these days And then hurrah! For house keeping Perhaps you had better provide a few diapers as a kind of (------) friend I think you (------) (-----) (-----) pretty & I am with you, if so give her a good kiss from her uncle Henry I'll learn you to play chess when I get home. I think you might to have received a letter on the day as I wrote just about ten days (-----) Tell Uncle Joel that (----) very well doing well I have not got the paper but presume I will tomorrow I am glad Uncle Joel is going to see Frank about that money as it will relieve me of some anxiety Give my love to all & don't forget that I love you dearly

JH

July 18, 1864

re'd 20 690,000
Monday Eve
July 11th/64

Dear Edna

Your letter of July 1st I have just re'd. It seems so pleasant to get letters from you once more. I have been laying in the shade all day and trying as much as possible to keep cool. Perhaps your pleasant dream may some day be realized. I hope so if it will give you real pleasure. It seems to me that I should be very happy if in our own little room at (--) but I suppose that even then I would, like all mankind, be reaching after something more; riches or fame perhaps. It is the fault of us all to be never satisfied with the present, - I thank you very much "Dear" for remembering that I do not want "my Pet" to use paint, a woman bedau(--) with paint, reminds me too forceably of the hundreds perhaps thousands of frail (-----)(----) crew rimes I have met whtn the streets of our large cities. I can hardly associate loneliness & virtue with paint It certainly robs a woman of even the semblance of childish simplicity & the freshness of youth, and seems to me to be the notice given to the public that the women so old and intriguing trying to palm off the gandy hues of art for nature's rosy freshness. Don't paint my "Darling" I want to think of you as you are fine, lovely, & confident that (------) & deceitful Oh Edna be as woman not a bauble - Are you still such a little "sleepy head" as your used to be, you don't have any body to keep awake at night and wake up in the morning you do you? You had better get enough bed clothes and such things to commence house keeping on a small scale at least. I should be at home one of these days And then hurrah! For house keeping Perhaps you had better provide a few diapers as a kind of (------) friend I think you (------) (-----) (-----) pretty & I am with you, if so give her a good kiss from her uncle Henry I'll learn you to play chess when I get home. I think you might to have received a letter on the day as I wrote just about ten days (-----) Tell Uncle Joel that (----) very well doing well I have not got the paper but presume I will tomorrow I am glad Uncle Joel is going to see Frank about that money as it will relieve me of some anxiety Give my love to all & don't forget that I love you dearly

JH