Near Culpepper Va April 30th 1864 My Dear Mother. Your most welcome letter of the 24th came to hand last evening and although I have but little to write I have still less to do. at present. and have thought it better to answer your letter than to remain idle all day. I answered Nell's letter of the 20th a day or two since and last night I answered Aunt Mary's received at the same time with Nells. Spring seems to be at length fairly established the signs of which are pleasant weather and the rapidly growing vegetation. The hill sides are green with the young grass and the apple and peach trees are full of blossoms. In Culpepper the villagers are busy making gardens and on some very few farms some one is trying to plow a little and try to raise some little grain for the coming season. I can hardly see where they can raise anything or how they expect to save what they may raise. whether our army or the rebels occupy this country. No security is to be expected from either. Our army will not respect the property of the foes of our country and the rebels must have all they can get to support them. The few prisoners or deserters that we now see are ragged, dirty half famished looking creatures strongly and painfuly contrasting with those of our own ranks who have almost every necessary of life and many of its luxuries It is no uncommon thing to meet an enlisted man. looking as neat and clean in his suit of blue as the best of of our village lads at home. Our army seems to improve every day in the personal appearances of its men. and our officers are taking more and more interest every day in having the men of their commands clothed in a style that no one need to be ashamed to be seen at any time or place. To be sure every one is required to wear a uniform in accordance with the regulations of the service. but no pains are sparedto have these kept in good condition and nearly all of our men are dressed in such a manner that none need be ashamed of them.. The army has nearly all left its quarters in which it has lain during the winter and is now in such quarters as are generally used in the field in times of active service. No movement has yet taken place. but the troops have been removed to new camps closely adjoining the ones they have just left, nearly all of which have been destroyed by fire. Something of the same seems to have been going on in the rebel army as large fires are seen every night and day in different localities. south of the Rapidan That both armies are busily preparing for active preparations none can doubt. All surplus. clothing camp and garrison equippages. that have been needed and have accumulated during the winter have been boxed and sent to Washington and Alexandria from whence we shall receive them again next winter if we need them. Which I sincerely hope we never shall but that we may be enjoying our own peaceful happy homes.. Home! What speculations are rife in our minds when we think of that pace, of all others on this earth to which the heart ever delights to turn. What visions of happiness, what plans for future life and which ones we shall carry out. Last spring I spoke several times in my letters of choosing a spot in Virginia for my future home. That was before I had seen the harder phases of the strife which has made this country so desolate. and when winter had set in and everything was bare and brown I thought I could never be happy here in this vast graveyard filled with the bones of my fellow soldiers. But now Spring has returned again and in looking around at the ruins of this. once. most beautiful country I feel that I should consider our plain matter of fact Michigan a terrible bore were it not for the ties of family and friends I can never avoid contrasting the taste displayed by the southern people in the adornment of their homes dis with that of our hard working “enter prising (if you will have it so) people of the north who are so intent upon great wealth that they will not spend a dollar or a cent in beautifying their grounds which in many cases might be done with very little expense of money, time and labor. You have often noticed at home that the southern people chose to build far from the road. and have often laughed at the absurd reasons given by them for so doing. They do build far from the road but I have come to beleive that they do so more from choice of a good build spot ing localities, than from the silly reasons so often given by the descendants of southern men who never lived south of Mason and Dixons line. They all choose some knoll from which they have a good view of the surrounding n country and i^stead of clearing from it every tree or shrub. for a considerable distance around it they only cut away the smaller timber and such larger timbers as cover the spot chosen to set the house upon. By this they have a pleasant shaded yard which is soon covered with a beautiful green [illegible in original] and when artificial means are added to increase its beauty. by setting out smaller shrubbery and tastefully adorning the yard with flowers graveled walks etc. they have a beautiful home with but little expense. The dwelling houses are nearly all after one fashion. and almost invariably have the chim neys., one at each end, outside of the house which is the only detraction from the beauty of all. Fireplaces are used every where and even in the most elegantly furnished mansions you will never find a stove. The darkies used to do the cooking by a fire place and the Master and Mistress warmed them selves in the same manner. John Minor Botts. who lives near Brandy Station still enjoys a greater part of his farm unmolested and has a beautiful place ly His farm consists of 2200 acres and is beautiful^ located with Mansion Outhouses, barns and a great deal of fence still preserved. consider our plain matter of fact Michigan a terrible bore were it not for the ties of family and friends I can never avoid contrasting the taste displayed by the southern people in the adornment of their homes dis with that of our hard working “enter prising (if you will have it so) people of the north who are so intent upon great wealth that they will not spend a dollar or a cent in beautifying their grounds which in many cases might be done with very little expense of money, time and labor. You have often noticed at home that the southern people chose to build far from the road. and have often laughed at the absurd reasons given by them for so doing. They do build far from the road but I have come to beleive that they do so more from choice of a good build spot ing localities, than from the silly reasons so often given by the descendants of southern men who never lived south of Mason and Dixons line. They all choose some knoll from which they have a good view of the surrounding n country and i^stead of clearing from it every tree or shrub. for a considerable distance around it they only cut away the smaller timber and such larger timbers as cover the spot chosen to set the house upon. By this they have a pleasant shaded yard which is soon covered with a beautiful green [illegible in original] and when artificial means are added to increase its beauty. by setting out smaller shrubbery and tastefully adorning the yard with flowers graveled walks etc. they have a beautiful home with but little expense. The dwelling houses are nearly all after one fashion. and almost invariably have the chim neys., one at each end, outside of the house which is the only detraction from the beauty of all. Fireplaces are used every where and even in the most elegantly furnished mansions you will never find a stove. The darkies used to do the cooking by a fire place and the Master and Mistress warmed them selves in the same manner. John Minor Botts. who lives near Brandy Station still enjoys a greater part of his farm unmolested and has a beautiful place ly His farm consists of 2200 acres and is beautiful^ located with Mansion Outhouses, barns and a great deal of fence still preserved. of a growing interest within the last few years. Could this country be settled by northern men. or any enterprising class of men Central and Eastern Virginia might in a few years be made one of the best fruit and stock growing countries on the American Continent. These hillsides are just the land for grass and the innumerable small streams of water would furnish plenty of stock water. while during these mild, open winters they would need but little care or feed There has been no time this winter that our horses could not find something to eat even when grain and hay could not be got for them. I wrote Nell all that was going on around us and as nothing new has occurred since I have nothing to write. Capt Wells. our brigade Quartermaster was releived from his place here and assigned to duty somewhere in Washington.. Although I saw a great deal in him to find fault with I was sorry to see him go as he had generally treated me kindly and I had learned his peculiarities and did not fear being able to suit him. His successor Lieut Ballard is a fine young man and I think I shall like him as well. if not better than Capt Wells. Some alterations have been made among the men since Capt Wells. went away and I have just received orders to send two of my men back to the company. I hate to do it. we have been together so long. and I have learned to depend on them and learned that I could. and now I hate to see them go back. I have spoken several times in my letters through the winter of going back. and this morn ing I did not know but I would really have to go. But without any begging on my part the Lieut gave me to understand that I was to stay here. I had about as lief go back to duty in the regiment as stay here as far as I know.. I know this much I never enjoyed myself better in my life than while I was with the company and the company was all together. but now it is so much scattered many of the boys discharged. sick.wounded. pris oners and detailed; our Capt and Lieutenants all gone. and many of our non commissioned officers that it seems but little like the same company we once knew. and as many things occur almost daily which I do not think right. I have decided not to go back until ordered to do so. You speak of the anxieties you would feel were I with the company. Calm those anxieties Mother. Those who are in the ranks are in but little more danger during the season of active operations. of long hurried marches. than I am here, It indeed looks frightful when you at home think of us being in battle or doing picket yet I often think our fears exaggerate the danger and greatly, too. One is I often think as near to death in his quiet home at all times as upon the battle fields. Death will overtake us when he choses, be that while peacefully driving the plow, or amid the storms of bullets shot. & shell or the clash of sabres. It is the same fearful relentless fate meet it when we may. And often times I think one better prepared for it on the field of battle when his comrades are falling thickly around him. when he realizes that the next shot may be the messenger of his death. than when amid the peaceful scenes of home, where there is every thing to draw his mind far away from the reality of his situation. True if we fall on the field of battle our resting place may never be seen or known by our friends yet our memory will be as faithfully cherished by those who love us as though we had fallen among the quietness of home with friends around us. The knowledge that we fell in the discharge of the noblest of duties will soften the pangs of parting.. If I die while a soldier I hope. to die as a soldier should. facing the foe my last thoughts of Mother. Home and Heaven.. I was somewhat surprised to receive Love's note the other evening. but shall answer it when opportunity is afforded me. Let Father wonder what you find to write. but you write all you wish to. Your letters have not been half so frequent nor half so long as I could wish. You know Mother. that I am no great hand to express my love for any one in extrava gant words. in fact I can never find the words to express it. but I always strive by a rep prompt return of favors to prove my love and gatitude to the donor. My letters may seem cold. and dispassionate. but could you know the emotions of the heart of him who writes. you would not doubt. All I ask is full trust and confidence and my every effort shall be put forth to merit the same Affectionately Yours E R Havens.