Letter #62 Envelope addressed: Mrs F. D. Wheeler Ju Saratoga Springs New York Camp near White Oak Church Va April 21st 63 Dear sister I have neglected to answer your letter, which was received some days since, for the reason that we half expected to move "tomorrow," every day for a week, and have had every thing packed up so that it was not convenient to write. The plan seem to be changed now and we hear nothing more about moving. I certainly shall take (a--underlined) meal or (two--underlined) at your house, when I come home and (perhaps--underlined) Alice will be with me. I often think how happy I shall be when this war is over and I come home. I think I can appreciate the comforts of home then, I shall be at your house half the time. It makes all the Pg2 difference in the world, what example one has at home. Nellie Hoyt would not have been the same person if she had a different mother. Yes, Alice is called pretty, but I have seen more handsome girls, but beauty is not the one thing needful; although it has much to do with love affairs. I fancied her at first for her good looks, and loved her afterwards for her good qualities. She was eighteen years old last fall, just four years younger than myself. She has a splendid form, and is a perfect lady, & know how to treat a person. I hope whoever I marry may love me, as I always thought you loved Frank, I would ask no more. War, conscription, or any other terrible thing, should never part us. Frank has no doubt rec'd my letter before this in answer to his. Our Paymaster has not made his appearance yet, we are all anxious to see him for "green backs" are getting very scarce in camp. I think Frank could do very well to study with Dr. whiting, as he is a Pg3 popular man, but I would not advise him to give up his school until he is certain he could succeed as a Dr. We have spring weather here, the grass is green, and cherry and peach trees blown out. It rained again last night making the roads quite bad again. Captain Horton is well, he is very steady, never drinks any thing strong, not so with his 1st Lieut, Smith. The two years men of our army, whose time is out soon, are very much dissatisfied to move towards the enemy, most o fthem swear they will do no fighting. I have no more to write this time, you must excuse this short letter, and write soon telling me all the gossip about the young people Your brother Luther -- Ruth Barton mrgjb@sover.net Dummerston, VT