OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - The James Perry Fyffe Letters (Civil War) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darrold Crites DCrites642@aol.com July 16, 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TO: (No Address Given) Columbia Jan 28th 1862 My Darling Wife Last night at "Low Twelve" as usual the boys wakened me up with the Mail, and I was delighted by receiving yours of the 23rd. I think if you knew how glad I was to hear from you & how much good it done me to hear from you, it would do much to eradicate the repugnance you have to writing. With me it is different, next to seeing and hearing from you, I enjoy writing to you - You say you were very glad to get my letter which I was happy to hear - Thus you see, it is mutual the happiness we confer on others, reacts upon ourselves - It is like "a cheerful gift", spoken of in the good Book, it is twice blest, it helps both the giver, and the receiver - Thus dear wife would I ever have our intercourse through life, a mutual giving and receiving happiness. This has been the fond life dream of your husband, who is imbuded with what this fast age might call an old fashioned notion, that the union of two spirits from motives of mutual affection, cherished, and preserved in the ordinary course of human events, is calculated to carry the greatest amount of happiness to which we can attain in this World of ours - This is the firm conviction of one who is well satisfied with the kind hearted, gentle and affectionate being who has placed her hand, and happiness in the keeping (confidingly) of one that this rough battle of life, has not made the most gentle, and kind, but who fears so sweet, and sensitive a plant - the happiness of one so true, and affectionate will not be so perfect and unalloyed as such virtues deserve - and he would have you enjoy. I am glad you manifested a desire to gratify me about the Miniature, and I shall watch for it with interest. I dont believe any lover, ever felt a stronger wish to see the likeness of his Sweetheart than yours, I was sure you would gratify me, so certain that you see I sent mine off in advance - I could not get a large sized one as you desired, (as well as myself) owing to the instrument the artist had, not being of the right kind, but never mind you shall have it yet, luck admitting - So you dont want any "Sense of duty", letter either. Well, I am not surprised to hear you say so - and you are not likely to get any of that kind from me either. They all, every one of them, come from the motive you prefer. Your picture of the cozy warm room, set me into a Brown Study, and I gazed into the fire and in imagination ensconed myself on one side of the fire place at home comfortably in that room, with somebody beside me. Some fair haired blue eyed one, to whisper kind words of welcome to the wanderer and banish memories of stern, grim wicked war, with the sweet soft low tones of love, and affection - May the anticipation soon be realized - I am still boarding at Dr. Fields and feel better today than I have for some time. If I get very sick I shall come home or send for you this you may rely on - Mr Walker Brigade Waggon Master started to Lebanon today with a large train of Waggons for provisions - Sam is not very well - I think Capt Higgins has recovered from the attack of Dumplings. Capt Hopkins who sleeps with me has been cross as a Bear, for four, or five days. He dont get any letter from his wife, he says he dont know how it is I can get so many letters, and he dont get any, he was real wolfish this morning, when I got your letter and miniature - Thanks for the same but Willie, it is very small, reley it is hardly big enough to kiss - and your letter was so very short, but I excuse that as you are sick - Tell Aunt Minta, if she lets you get sick, I will do something terrible to her when I get back there - I will send her down to Secesh land, and they will sell her sure, as they are catching all the free black folks this side of Bolinggreen, and running them off to sell - as well as the blacks that belong to the Union men that they caught hold of. This the 29th day of Jan and it is warm and raining - My Landlady Mrs Dr Fields is very kind to me, has warm toast for breakfast & supper we have the best of everything to eat but I eat very little. I was pleased to learn your parents had come over to see you - say to that good looking young Fatherinlaw of mine (as the boys called him) I think he ought to pay his debts - If I recollect right, he has been owing me a letter, lo these many months, and he ought not so to serve his Son! - I am glad you got the money I sent you as I was beginning to fear it had miscarried. I was worried about not being able to send you some sooner, I have only drawn one Months pay (October) since I have been out, and raising the Regt cost me some money, uniform, horse, saddle, servants, provisions and the band all took money, besides, I had a payment to make on the house, Taxes, etc, I make this statement so you will see why it was I was so long about sending you any money - I hope it will not occur again - we are looking for the Pay Master every day. I have got out of all patience with the Kentuckians here about the way they neglect their sick is to bad to specify and they treat their own people especially the Secessionists very harshly. I dont think this is right but enough about this. I must close but feel like scolding you for leaving so much space between the heading of your letter and commencement - You might say somany sweet things on five or six lines - but I wont scold my lovely sick wife, and now good by Sweetheart & there is a kiss in this for you. Your ever Perry