Camp Russell Va
		February 21st /65

Dear Nell:
	     Again I am
at my old business. writing
letters. I received yours of the
12th last night. but did not think
I would answer so soon as I wrote
you on Sunday but really I feel
too good just now to hold my
peace and I will write.
     Such news as we have received
yesterday and to night is too
good to enjoy alone. but I pre
sume that you know it
all as well as myself.
Yesterday the news of the
capture of Columbia was
received by signal at Div. Hd Qrtrs
and immediately was made known


to the command by being
read to each regiment on
parade. Well. did'n't we “holler”
I reckon we did “right smart”
I cheered then as I never
did before. and thought I
never would again, but to
night at “Tattoo” the Official
Despatch from Sheridan was
read announcing the fall of
Charleston and we “hollered”
again. Cheered loud and
long. I cheered as hard as
I knew how. stretched my
voice to its utmost power
and I guess every body else
did the same. for such a yell
I never heard in my life
It fairly shook the ground
Just now I heard the 6th
cheering and it will go
through the entire army

     A salute was fired yester
day in honor of the capture
of Columbia and I presume
that Charleston will be sim
ilarly honored tomorrow..
	Thunder Well. what
can I say. I want to say
something about the “Old
Flag” waving over Sumters 
shattered walls once more.
but cant think of any
thing. But as the boys
say, “Cant you let her wave”
     I can. and give three cheers
Hip! Hip! Hurrah! Hurrah 
Hurrah: Tiger. Yeeeeell
(Rising Inflection on that
last!)
     Well there was something
new in your letter and
some that “warnt”
I am darned glad that



Hank has enlisted but think
George and Jim. thundering fools.
And so you dare to impeach
my veracity and make allowance
for my assertions. so as to bring
them down to “middling” do you
     Pretty way I think; when I feel
a fellow cant tell the truth and
be beleived: Well there is one conso
lation I shan't tell you her name
and if she was a dozen cousins to
me I would n't let her be a
twelfth part of a one to you till you
retracted what you said concern
ing my character for veracity
     Well this is long enough for
the present.. Some poor wretch
is torturing a poor devil of a fiddle
in the next tent to make it produce
Arkansas Traveller Money Musk
Opera Reel. and Jordan Am a hard
road to Trabbel. and my nerves
are completely unstrung. my fingers
want to dance Polkers. Jigs. Devils
Dreams and sundry other things
while I want to just get up and
yell. Hurrah. for everybody
     Hurrah!
	      Yours
			Ed