|
Salisbury, North Carolina |
| March 31st 1865 |
| |
|
Mrs. Jennie Herndon |
|
Rochelle Va. |
|
|
| Dear Jennie, |
| The last letter I wrote you, told you that
I would set out from Richmond the 25th inst. for this place, to store
Major Richards Q. M. stores at this place. I however did not leave until
the 26th and arrived here safely last Tuesday. I ran much risk of being
hurt on the road between Richmond and Danville
Richmond & Danville RR}. About midway between those places, the
axle to the box car in which I was riding, broke, and as the train was
running very fast, that car and two others were very much broken up,
particularly the wheels, causing me to receive some heavy jolts, but no
injury more than a big scare. One man who was sitting on the side of the
car, with his legs hanging down, had his right leg horribly mangled, by
the the car's upsetting on him. He has doubtless died before this.
Nobody else was hurt. The trip was a very disagreeable one. Vast crowds
of paroled prisoners were aboard returning home. The travel on the road,
both going and coming from Richmond here, is immense. |
| Raw cotton seems to be lying about almost
loose, at every Depot I have passed in Carolina. Great piles of it are
to be found at every Depot. How I wish you had some of it! Meat and
bread also seems to be more plentiful here, but scarcely any cheaper
than in Virginia, and as to goods, they are vastly higher than in
Richmond where I thought there was no conscience before I came here. I
now think conscience in prices is hard to be found any where in the
Confederacy. I do not intend to stay here any longer than is absolutely
necessary, but will try to get back somewhere in Virginia, as soon as
the situation will admit. |
| ***** |
| Truly your affectionate husband |
| John |
|