Camp 7th Mich Cavalry Camp Russell Va. February 15th 1865 Dear Nell. I have for several days been a debtor to you for a letter; at least I suppose I shall have to call it such. although Ican scarcely consider it such. being only three little, miserably short pages of such a sheet as this. It really seems to me that you ought to be ashamed to send such a letter as that I've already sent you three letters since my return to camp and have received two such as I have spoken of from you. I did think I would'n't write you another word until I had received another letter from you. but today I have more time than usual it being too stormy to allow of drill and I concluded to sit down and have a chat Camp 7th Mich Cavalry Camp Russell Va. February 15th 1865 Dear Nell. I have for several days been a debtor to you for a letter; at least I suppose I shall have to call it such. although Ican scarcely consider it such. being only three little, miserably short pages of such a sheet as this. It really seems to me that you ought to be ashamed to send such a letter as that I've already sent you three letters since my return to camp and have received two such as I have spoken of from you. I did think I would'n't write you another word until I had received another letter from you. but today I have more time than usual it being too stormy to allow of drill and I concluded to sit down and have a chat I'll get up and beat two young Lieuts who are now engaged at playing euchre who know as much about the game as a yearling pig.. Well how does the [illegible in original] get along. I hope you'll continue to like the institution and in due time become an honored member of the institution. Oc. Elliott came over to visit me yesterday and told me that he received a letter from his sister. (lets see. she is V.W.2. is'n't she) who said that she had the pleasure of taking you through a course of Sprouts on the occasion referred to in your first letter after I left there and also expressed the determination of serving Oc. and myself in the same way next winter.. The old saw says that “when a woman will she will” but there are exceptions to all rules. and I think them necessary to prove the rules Dont think that I'm inclined to make fun of you for joining for I'm not. If I were at home. “gay and festive” like you I might feel inclined to “go in” too. but now I'm getting old and con firmed in my ways and should not become a very “honorable” member “Its hard to learn an old dog new tricks” you know. Well whats the gossip around home. Anybody married or like to be. How does Newt Stephens and his “Doxy Ann” get along. Is “Every thing lovely?” and “does the goose hang high”.. I'm slightly interested there. Has Carrie got over the sulks yet? Is any one [illegible in original] How does the “goose”hang over to town? Where's my pictures? What the Devil is going on any way? I'm considerably worked up to know all about things in general. If you cant write all about the folks around there get some one else to. And so you actually took the “school marm” home did you? I think I saw her while I was home. and if I did I'm. inclined to think Nell got “took in” Do you see anything of my Miss Miller. Golly dont I wish I'd got a chance to split that kindling wood and help to build that fire Is Jim Lee around there yet or has he gone back to the army.. I beleive he promised to write to me but I have'n't got any letters from a living soul besides yourself. How many times Valentines did you get yesterday? Darned of a one did I get or see.. I wrote to my Wisconsin Girl last night. Dont know whether I'll get an answer or not. and dont much care. I'll only be out a dime by the operation which will be cheap enough for a Valentine. Miss Nellie J. of San dusky has thus far failed to connect Perhaps She was a different critter from what I thought. She may be that virtuous -------- that Newt wrote about. Poor thing. how she must suffer if such is the case.. Do you even see or hear anything from “someone” I'd like to hear how they get along.. Tis two years today since I last saw them. Two years. what changes since then. Sometimes when I think over the past two or three years it does not seem that it has been so long since I was a civilian. and I can not realize that my short visits home were so far apart. I often wish that the next eight months were past and I could be placed at home. again and find everything there as it was when I arrived there a month ago. I think I could commence life in real earnest and make some thing yet.. But what's the use of ..murmuring or becoming impatient Everything will be all right next November. and “Richard will be him self once more” Each day is bringing the thing more closely to a point and we may possibly be at home before the time of the expiration of the our term of service. I had a letter the other night from Cousin Helen. She wrote that her brother Willie was determined to enlist and I presume he has done so ere this. One little fellow who stopped at the same house in Cleveland that I did wanted to enlist and come with me. but I could'nt bring him. so I did my best to [illegible in original] him off the notion. It seems strange to me that any one should so want to enlist now. It seems as though four years of war ought to have given everybody a thorough knoweldge of a soldiers life. at least. of what is required. but I found folks at home just as ignorant now as they were when I enlisted. The “Big Fools” I wonder if they ever. will learn anything.. I'll bet you could'nt induce a Virginian to enlist But yet there is something rather nice about soldiering after all. I just wish I could be a regular officer in the cavalry service in times of peace. If anyone wanted an easy life and yet just enough excitement to make time endurable I think that would be as desirable a situation as one would want. last fall. while General Custer was only a Lieut in the regular cavalry (he is a Major now) he and his staff were making their plans for life after this war was over. Custer was going to make take command of an outpost on our frontiers and his staff were to take positions as non-commish” in the company. I think I'll go in as “high private in the rear rank.” Those who came off picket this morning report that the 23d Army Corps. from Gen Thomas' army came through our lines from Annapolis last night. This will make our army quite strong again which has been much weaker than many have supposed it to be for a long time. You can do as you think best with this letter make it private or not but in either case. I want a good long reply to it immediately. My Love to all Yours Affectionately. E.R. Havens