William O. Holmes to Father, May 2, 1865

[page 19] Camp of Sig. Detach Winchester Va May 2th 1865 Dear Father

I should have written to you sooner, but for some reason I have not felt like writing since my return. I got here all safe however and found the boys having an easy time of it. Ten of our boys who went away with Gen. Sheridan reached here last night. It takes them to tell you they are looking very well. There horses are to played out though. I would have given most any thing reasonable to have been on that trip. Our old Capt. Howard has gone to Texas, he took four of our boys along.

This a regular long, gloom, rainy day. We have had a great deal of rain since I came back. We are all in a misterey as to what is to be done with us. Some think we are going to be mustered out and some do not, but no one knows to a cirtinty about it. Though most of the boys will be sadly disapointed if we are not.

[page 20] Lean promised me the last thing when I left that she would live with you. She said she wanted to stay at her Fathers a week or so first, I was glad that she concluded to do so. When you first spoke to me about it I did not fully concider the matter. To tell the truth it was hard for me to think of any thing when I was home. I felt like droping every thing but the presant, but when I came to thing over the matter I saw It would be the best thing for her if I had to pay you for the privilege. I hope that she will be contented there, And I hope that you will have forbearance with her, I do not think she will intentionly do any thing wrong. You must remember that her dsposition and training is intirely diferant from our girls. Try Father and not read her to many lectures I think if you will leave her mostly to her mother Holmes, it will the more pleasant for you all. I may be talking pretty plain Father, but all though you have a clear incite into men, I do not think you understand the feelings and wants of women very well. Pardon me! I am considerable the youngest as a matter of course and, probably ought not to make such remarks, but they are my thoughts and what I think I am apt to say When I can think of

[page 21] it soon enough, I that for a long time Lean though you was the best friend she had -- Which I know you are -- And I think she will think so again if you show your friend ship in the right maner, But do not for my sake try to follow up reports that get into circulation about her. It only makes the matter ten times worse, I can trust her, and I think I know her better than you, Nothing that I ever heard of her ever troubled me in the least, because I knew her and knew whare the storys started from.

By the way I wll mention to you, but do not mention it to any one else, I have a brother in law who is not very happy him self and dos not realy like to see other people so, If I was of the right disposition I could keep myself in a stew and a broill most of the time. Thank God I have no such disposition, I know that Lean is not perfect, that she is young yet and has an inordinate love for fun and loves to visit perhaps more than she ought to, but for her good qualities, I can over look the bad ones, trusting that as she grows older she will loose the bad also, I do not care how you improve her though olney so you do not make it to unpleasant for her. Father if you will not read my letters or open my letters untill she

[page 22] has seen them it will be much more agreable to her, I don’t know but I have said to much in this letter, but you must excuse me, I have not looked it over yet, but I have written it just as it came, and have been honest in what I have said.

Father I beleave that these cursed Rebs ought to be anihilated, there was an election held here yesterday And it is said that the Rebs answer it What Union men did not to dare to vote for fear of their lives. Two Union men were killed out toward Rowery yesterday, and the bushwhackers are getting quite plenty out that way. I was talking with some Union men at Greenspring Mountain, They are afraid they will never have justice again. The Rebs have allways sworne that should leave the county and they fear they will have to do it yet the way things are going the feeling is very bitter, this will be an uncomfortable place to live for years to come, But I must close as the bugle has sounded stable call

Your Son

Wm. O. Holmes