Letter dated May 22nd, 1864
May 22, 1864
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Dear wife and best of friends
Once more I will try to write a few lines to you. Again today is Sunday and I feel first rate today. I got a letter from you last Thursday, that was on the 8th. I got one today that was written on the first. I was too glad to hear that you was well only you're cold. You say you are so lonesome and home sick it seems as though you could not live. Do you think I ever get home sick away off here with no one to love or care for me and now that I am wounded and have nothing for breakfast or supper but hard tack and coffee. You know what the hard tack is and the coffee when I tell you it is made in camp kettles sometimes with a little sugar no milk you can guess what it is. Now, Ett, I don't want to be hard or have you think I am but now if I should fret and cry and allow myself to get so home sick as to make myself really sick and to be taken to the hospital and die as I have known a good many to with nothing else in the world would you think that I thought any more of you or do you think that it is my duty to use some judgment and try and govern my feelings and take care of my health so that I can come back all right and be of some good to my family. Now, Ett, do you take care of yourself Do you try to take care of your health so that you will be able to enjoy yourself when I shall get back or do you allow your feelings to govern your judgment. Your letters tell me that you are worrying your fife away. Is this right in you, would you think it was for me to do as you do, no you would not. You would say that I ought to take good care of health by all means for your sake and Lina. So, say I to you, by all means, take care of your health, be more cheerful or try to and let me hear better news from you. It will be better for all. I don't think my wound will discharge me, but I won't be fit for the field in less than 4 to 6 months. I shall try to get a furlough and come home as soon as I am able. Now, keep up good spirits and try to take care of yourself for my sake. No more this time.
Ever yours
W.W.vanAmber
Ett
P. S. If you direct you letters the same as before I will get them sometimes. How I wish that I could hear from you as often as I write to you.
Yours as ever Cheerful & happy W.W.vanAmber