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Correspondence
Letter from George Washington Whitman to Louisa Van Velsor Whitman, 26 July 1864
In front of Petersburg Va.
Wednesday Evening July 26th/64
Dear Mother.
All quiet in front of Petersburg, and everything going on just the same as when I last wrote. We came out from the front line, last night and are now at our camp, in the woods about half a mile from the enemy's works. We go up in front and stay 48 hours and then come back here and stay the next 48.
I received Walts letter of July 14th and am looking every day to hear from you again.
Mother I hope you are all well at home, Walt I hope is all right before now. 1 I have never been heartier than I have been this summer, we live very well here and are a great deal more comfortable than one would think. I wrote you last, about the 13th of this month, did you get the letter.
We are kept pretty buissy, while we are back in Camp, makeing out papers for men who are sent away sick or wounded, but still we dont kill ourselvs with hard work. Well Mother it is getting late and I am getting sleeppy, so good night, I will write again soon. Much love to all.
G. W. Whitman
About the Text
The text presented here is derived from Jerome M. Loving, ed., The Civil War Letters of George Washington Whitman (Durham, North Carolina: Duke State University Press, 1975). For a detailed description of discrepancies between this electronic edition and the print source, see our statement of editorial policy .
The manuscript of this letter, dated July 26, 1864, is held in the Trent Collection of Walt Whitman Manuscripts, Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library .
For more information on the letters of George Washington Whitman, see Jerome M. Loving's introduction to the print edition.
Notes
1. See Letter from George Washington Whitman to Louisa Van Velsor Whitman, 2 July 1864. (Back)
Whitman Archive ID
duk.00358