DemingHorace18640924_004

Andover Sept 24 1864

Dear Louise

What to write I know not but
will try. I trust you are not offended with me for not
writing you before but time flies swifter here in
Palmyra. I never in my life say 4 weeks go so quickly
by as the last 4 have. I have not had time to be homesick
or even to think of home except I stole it. There
is one portion of my time however when I feel free to
think of home it is after I have retired to rest then I can
throw off all care and anxiety and for a little time revel
in the thoughts of home and in pleasant memories. Such
opportunities I do not neglect I can assure you. I suppose
you have been enjoying yourself to the utmost of your ability
since I left. So many of your friends have come to
see you and besides having no horrid brother to tease you
I have only fifteen minutes left in which to write and I
must make the most of it. I wish you would send me your
photographs, one of Joe's, Mattie Tefft, father's, [??]
and a host of others that are so numerous that I have not
time nor space to mention them. Do you ever hear from
Auburn? When you write give them my love. Perhaps
Father could send me some fruit by just sending them
to [Judah?] he could send it free as far as Albany at any
rate. I wish you would find out Charley [Schenkerhorn?]'s
address for me. I would like to write him. Has
Spencer gone to Washington yet? Save me some
grapes till Thanksgiving when I shall be home to
enjoy them. I can manage it so as to come the day
before Thanksiving if it is on Thursday. You must
petition the Governor to make that the day on my
account if on no other. I wish I had time I
could fill a volume with inquiries and so forth
my time is almost up and I must finish don't
in to this as a model for your writing but send
me a long letter. Write soon to your brother HED