William O. Holmes to Father, June 18, 1865

[page 23] Reserve Camp of Sig. Detach Winchester Va June 18th, 1865

Dear Father

I received a short letter from you with Leans some days ago. I am allways thankful for small favors, larger ones in propotion, I should liked to have seen James Dryer very much.

We know nothing as to wheather we are to be discharged or not, But we will all be very much disappointed if we are not by fall.

I wish I knew what to go at when I am out of the service. If I had about $3,000.00 I would buy a farm but I do not feel much inclination to run head over heels in debt for a small rough farm and then work and worry the life out of me to pay for it. If I was naturely

[page 24] inclined to a farmers life I might do it, but you know as well as I that what love I have for farming was cultivated it was not born in me.

If I could get some situation whare I would have salary enough to keep Lean and I and save a hundred or two per year, until I had saved enough to buy a good farm, I think it would suit me better than to buy a poor farm and work all my life to make a good one out of it. If I am discharged soon I will have about $600.00 which would not go far towards buying land teem and stock. When you write tell me what you think about it prehaps you can give me some light on the subject.

It is very dull here. I would rather be whare I was one year ago now, time passed a great deal faster One year ago to day was the fight at

[page 25] Lynchburge, about this time in the day (11 A M) the Rebs massed on our center expecting to break our line, but they got sent back a whirling. Whoa! But there was a rattleing and selling for about an hour. In such times as those a fellow did not often get dull, before we got out of there though. I would have given all I am worth for the rest that we are having now. I believe that it is about the worst feeling a man can have to be compeled to keep going, going, when he is so sleepy he cannot hold his head up. It seemed to me as though I sufered as much for want of rest as I did for want of food. I beleave come to think the mater over I do not want to go though any more such trips. I would sooner lay here if it is dull.

I ought to write to Lean to day as

[page 26] I promised to write every Sunday But I have written two letters to her since her last one was written and I have not much to found a letter on. Remember me to all

Your son Wm. O. Holmes

P.S. If you will be kind enough to stick a one dolar green back in your next I will make it Right with you. I hope we will be payed soon, I will have eight months pay due the last of this month and fifty dollars bounty. I need something whare with all to get paper and envelopes.

W. O. H.