My loving husband,

I send great news, Richard began his crawling today. Mother and I were in the kitchen baking biscuits and I put the boy down on the floor with his toy. I turned my back for a short moment and when I looked again he was on his knees almost to the doorway. Oh James it was a sight. I will have to keep a keen eye on him at all times.

I received your letter just last week and I read it every day. Seeing your handwriting brings me closer to you. I feel you here at home, with the boys. You are in them and every day I see more and more of the man I love in our children. I hope to receive another letter soon. The mail has become more frequent in town and many of the wives receive word from the battlefield often. There are rumors that other nations may join in with the South.

I have been restless as of late. I have been volunteering with Mrs. A. Schrute at the church. How much better I feel to get out to religious gatherings. We are planning a picnic for the children. Angela was there with her little one too. That child is an odd looking fellow. Mother and I have stopped at the library a handful of times and I got such a good book to read. We try and fill the time with pleasant activities, it keeps the lonely thoughts at bay.

There is excitement of the rebels outside, the night air is full of voices. I know you would excuse me, there have been many persons bothering me while I write. I shall write more when I posses a clear mind and house.

Do write again soon my love.

Your devoted wife,
Pamela

*****

My loving Pamela,

Should there be any seeming lack of punctuality in my answers to your letters, please attribute it to the fact that a military camp is not the best place for writing. Along with the fact the mail in this portion of the country has gotten more irregular. Do know I think of you daily even hourly. Every moment I long to see your eyes again. But the war is not over yet it is just beginning to assume its destructive form. We permitted the South to inflict upon a poor and helpless race of God's creatures and now we must do them their owed justice.

Master Sergeant Schrute shares his letters of Angela back home. I often ask if she speaks of my Pamela, he is cold and unwelcoming of peering eyes yet always obliges in sharing. I have grown fond of teasing him with pleasant tricks. A fortnight ago I relocated his sleeping quarters and personal items and watched him try and locate them. It was quite a laugh. Yesterday he believed it to be the Sabbath and I did not tell him it was not yet. I let him believe it all day and he only realized it a few moments ago. He is smart, yet not quick witted. It shall be an interesting war with him along side me. He believes himself to be Master Sergeant to the Major but I do not know by what he means. He often makes demands as if he were higher ranked but no one pays him any mind. He is the only one following his own orders. He asked the men to list all of their long time ailments for medical purposes and most of us did make up diseases and it pleasantly irritated the Master Sergeant. I kept mine to send home to you and it is enclosed with this letter. I miss you along my side to watch the playful games. You would enjoy the teasing we give the man. I trust you shall not share our secret with the Mrs. Schrute however, I presume you will come up with your own games. You are an amazing woman and I cherish you every so much.

I must come to a close, but remember how much I love you. Send my love to the family, write soon, and let it be a long letter.

Your devoted husband,
J.R. Halpert

enclosure:
James R. Halpert's long term ailments

Salted-beef fingers
Black Death
Dysentery - must eat any Master Sergeant rations of hardtack crackers to calm the stomach. It must be Hardtack and they must be a Master Sergeant's rations.
Killer Miniture Spiderblobs - must rub vinegar on my skin to cease from turning into the king spider.

Loving Pamela,

I received your letter as of last night. It is so nice to hear that Richard is crawling already, I am ever so sorry that I can not be there to witness his growth myself.

From the sounds of your closure the town was overwhelmed with activity. I have not heard as of late, but I pray that you are all well. There was word around camp that the rebels had invaded our home town. We pray every night from word of one of our families. Because of the preceding weather the post has been slow. We grow weary and we try to keep ourselves entertained. Master Sergeant Schrute has been the perfect distraction to the harrowing days of war.

Camp has turned into a muddy mess and many of the men end up wandering around as naked as the day they were born. I do find it entertaining to watch Master Sergeant Schrute attempt to avert his eyes. I myself have not attempted to live in camp bare bottomed but it is getting more and more difficult to keep my undergarments clean. It is not often we wish for a woman in camp but as of late it would be nice to have clean garments and a delicious meal. Private Bratton has burnt supper too many nights to count and yet Major Howard continues to allow him to cook.

There are rumblings to the east, I must close this letter. I love you my dear wife, and hope to hear from you soon.

Your adoring husband,
J.R. Halpert

*****

Dearest James,

Everything has calmed down here in town and we are all fine. There was quite a ruckus that evening. Wagons and horses were flying through the streets. Word was the rebels were on their heels. They were all in a real panic. The women and children were told to stay in doors as the fear of the rebels spread across town. There was talk that they had invaded a nearby city, setting it on fire and burning down the church. Soon followed 100-200 cavalry men serving as the guards. Many of the families had begun packing their goods to leave, but I stayed planted here, in our home. I refuse to leave the house our children are growing up in. My dear James, I only thought of you during that time. I had the children up in their room quietly huddled around me, while I read them a bed time story. They were brave boys, never crying nor begging for their father. You would be ever so proud of them. By 11 0'clock that evening everything was still quiet, so we concluded the stories of the rebels were false and we were able to get a good nights rest. There have not been more frays out in the streets since then. We are once again a quiet peaceful place.

I received your letter and could not stop the laughter for a good while. I promise to keep your secret of playful torture upon Master Sergeant Schrute from his Angela. She has been spending some time around these parts the last few days. She hugs her crucifix against her chest at all times. I ask her if she's received word from her husband and she has told me that he writes often. She did not, however, reference any of your playing ons. I can not wait to hear what your next adventure holds.

The picnic we held at the church went off perfectly. Mrs. Schrute was her diligent self and found mistakes around every corner and yet there wasn't a problem to be found. Her stomach has started to protrude ever so much in the last few weeks. I am almost sure that the woman is carrying another boy. That couple will end up with their pair just as she wished.

I miss you my sweet. I speak of you every day to our children. I will not allow them to forget the man they call Father. It has grown lonely at night in our sleeping quarters without you. I find myself crying when I lay myself down to bed. I fear for your safety and pray for your safe keeping. Come home soon my love.

Forever yours,
Pamela