Winchester Va
                     March 2d 1865
Dear Sister
I have been waiting very
paitiently ever since I returned
for a letter from you but it
dont come so I wont wait any
longer I would have liked to have
a come out to see you if I had
have had time but I only could get
fifteen days and part of that I had
to spend in New York City on Regimental
buisness so you see I had but a short
time home I was home about a week
all together but I will have a chance
to come home and see you all.
Mamma looks very well this winter better
than I expected to find her and Jane
looks well Kate I dont know weather I
                                            r
am glad I went home or sory for it
was so hard to part with mamma
I have been homesick ever since I came
back to the Regiment. their is some
talk that we will move from here
in a few days I hope we will

for I am tired of this mud hole
and think if we get on an active
Campaign I will get over my homesickness
any thing is better than laying here doing
nothing I have to much time to think of
home.
And now Kate I will tell you what I
think of the folks in conquest you
go into our house and find some a
democrat paper and the folks will tell
you that Abe Lincoln is the worst man
ever went unhung and it is the
same with those that read the
abolition papers about McLelland and
I dont think any of them knows any
more about the two men than a
child six weeks old you would think
to hear some of them talk they ought
to be President but they were all of one
mind on one thing and that was
they all want to keep out of the army
some of them say we are fighting for the
Negro and some say we are fighting
for old Abe but their aint much
danger of their fighting for anything
only to keep out of the Draft
their was a cavelry expedition started
from here a few days ago and Genl

Sheridan went with it I dont know
where it went but think we will
hear from it soon and now I must
close for it is getting late write soon
and let me know how all the folks
are and remember me to Mrs Vantyle
and Mrs Harman and all the rest of
the folks give my love to the children
let me know if maggie goes to School
yet tell them that I will be to see
them in September or October next
if nothing happens.
                                From Your Brother
                                           Jim
                                             to Kate


PS Directions
Lieut James Hardenbergh
         Co E 133d N.Y. Vols
          3d Brig 1st Div 19th A.C.
                       D Washington D. C.
                            or Elsewhere