Camp Key Jan. 15, 1862.

Dear Mary

I have just received you letter of Jan. 8th. I saw it advertised in this mornings Register. It was directed to "Capt. W.J. Hill". You should add Gillespies Reg. Then it will be brought to camp to me. I was very glad it get your letter although it had been written just a week ago. I wish you had a copy of the letter. I want to call your attention to one thought expressed. I will quote as you may have forgotten. "Sometimes I get to studying about the probabilities of your never returning and it almost drives me mad. How could I live without you now? I see no way for me to ever be happy again in this life".

Now dear wife, I rejoice that I have your confidence, and pray that I may be permitted to labor for your enjoyment. But is there not a danger of your putting your trust in the wrong one? Only think what a poor weak mortal I am! Then contemplate the greatness and power of Him who rules! Remember that it is only as He blesses us that I can add to your enjoyment. O can we not trust Him when He has been so good to us? I join you in the following sentiment "I love to think there is a home for us, if we do right where there will never be any more separation". I am glad to believe that you pray for this end. It matters but little, really, how we get along in this life if we but attain this such as the apostle expresses it. "For our light affliction which is for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory". Then let us reverently submit to whatever is His will. I believe He will bless us - -Bless us in this life if we look to him aright and act right. May He help us to live in his favor.

I suppose you are not deprived of more pleasure by my absence than I am. I often think that I enjoy the pleasures of home more than anyone else. I think too that I have more to make home pleasant than most men. I feel that with the blessings of Heaven you will do well. I am doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances. I am enjoying good health and although the weather for the last 3 days has been very bad yet I have been comfortable. Will cuts my wood and I keep a good fire, sleep warm, and my eating is as good as can be expected in camp. 

I dined with Lieut. Ewing to-day. He had just come from home and brought a baked turkey - - pies, cake & etc. - - a nice dinner. All the officers of the Regiment were present. If you could I would ask you to have a dinner prepared so that I could return the compliment. But there is no conveyance! 

I think we will leave this place within a week from this time. I do not know where we will go but think we will go to Cleveland. There is great dissatisfaction in camp about this place. The water is bad and so many are sick with measels which makes it taste bad if it ever was good that it has almost created a panic. It is a muddy place now but I suppose almost any other place would be under the same circumstances.

I suppose half of my company are absent on sick furlough. Thirteen started down the river on the boat yesterday. I am afraid that some of them will relapse. The doctors thought they ought to go home. The hospital would not hold all of the sick and many would have to stay in their tents which would be attended with danger. I hope they may all get home safe.

Write to me as often as convenient.

Your affectionate husband


W.J. Hill


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

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Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan