Lou Darling,
Night is slowly creeping in over the camp. I have obtained a transfer to the cavalry, so Katy can stay with me. The thought of having to give her to the Confederacy for another soldier to ride was just too much to bear. I know you and the boys always did make fun of me for talking to her like she was a human, but that is keeping me sane right now. She is the only person (okay, stop laughing. I know she's not really a person, but you know what I mean!) here who understands what I am talking about, because she knows you, and Teaspoon, and Rachel, and the boys as well as I do.
There's talk around camp that we will be seeing our first battle soon. The thought of that fills me with dread, because I know that many of the men here will probably die. I know this is what I came here for, to fight for my homeland and my memories, and I don't regret it at all, but it is not what I expected. There are a few men here who have been in battles before--some who fought against Mexico--but most are just boys. They have no idea what it's like to shoot another person, what a real battle is like. They have so much enthusiasm. The war will be over in a week they say. After all, one Reb can whip six Yankees any day. These boys have never left Virginia, most have never even left the towns where they were born. They don't realize that the Yankee boys are just like they are. Boys like Jimmy and Cody. I know what it's like to be in a gunfight, but even that won't even begin to compare with battle.
The sun has set, and the only light is from the fires scattered around the camp. Those who have never seen Virginia can't even begin to imagine how beautiful she is; I grew up here, and I had forgotten. Behind me are the foothills, gently rolling toward the mountains. The Blue Ridge Mountains we native Virginians call them. They provide the perfect setting to the sunset tonight. I had forgotten how much I missed the land.
I got to stop by the old farm where I grew up before reporting to camp. My new camp is not too far from Manassas. Nobody was there, so I did some checking in town, and the farm is still in my family's name. It is so rundown that nobody wanted to buy it before, and now with the war, nobody is buying or selling their land, so as the only surviving member of my family, the farm belongs to me. I just wanted you to know that in case anything happens. The records are at the town hall in Manassas. Don't get mad Lou, 'cause I'm gonna do everything I can to keep my promise to you. But sometimes, some things are out of our control.
Well, Louise darling, the fires are being banked for the night, which means it is time for me to go to sleep. I didn't get a chance to tell you how much I love you, but I know you know I do. Always and forever. I love you.
Until We Meet Again,
Your Kid
