I knew he would be sorry he did it, but I did [not]
think he would let on, but he surprised me the next day by coming to me and saying
he could not stand it. He wanted to come back. After giving him a good talk, I told
him to come back, so he is back in our mess and has been a good boy ever since. I
believe the letters our soldiers get from home are doing our army more harm than any
other one thing. I do not say all the letters to the soldiers are so, but fully two
thirds are opposed to Lincoln or his proclamation, or call our generals Secesh or
they say we are not fighting for our country, but to free the negroes and make
shoulder straps. Some even go so far as the advise their sons, brothers or husbands
or lovers to desert. It is the ignorant portion of our soldiers that get such
letters, and it is having a very bad effect. They was raised to believe that slavery
is one of the sacred things instituted by God, but they was getting pretty well
abolishionized till that rebel back bone breaker of old Abe's came out, one of the
harmlessest things ever written on paper. Only the dissatisfaction it creates in the
north and army, it does the negro neither harm nor good. The negroes that do come
into our lines are either starving or freezing to death or dying like rotten sheep,
no person to take care of them, neither feed them or clothe them. Tell Wilson I am
not opposed to it, but I call it a very poor thing, and it has done more harm
than good. I am in favor of taking every negro and making him fight. Kiss Zetty
and Vernon for me. My respects to all inquiring after William.
