January 21, 1865
My Dearest
@guidomerkinsrules ,
I pray this letter finds you in good health and comfort, for here, amid the bitter winds of war, such luxuries feel a world away. The past few days have been a trial unlike any I have known, as a fierce blizzard swept across the battlefield, leaving us shivering in its merciless embrace.
The snow lies thick upon the ground, blanketing the tents and dampening even the smallest spark of warmth we might find. It is as if nature herself conspires against us, her icy wrath no less cruel than the bullets of the enemy. Fires are scarce and fleeting; the wood we manage to scavenge is often too wet to burn, leaving us huddled together for what little warmth our bodies can muster. The wind howls through the camp, stealing away our breath and tearing at our meager shelter. Many of the men are frostbitten, their hands and feet swollen and blackened by the cold. It pains me to see such suffering, yet there is little I can do but share in their misery.
As if the blizzard were not hardship enough, we are plagued by a shortage of even the most basic necessities. gmr, I never imagined I would lament the lack of something so mundane as toilet paper, but here in the field, its absence is keenly felt. We have resorted to using whatever scraps we can find – old letters, bits of cloth, even leaves when they are not buried beneath the snow. It is a small indignity, yet it serves as a constant reminder of how far removed we are from the comforts of home.
Through it all, I try to keep my spirits high, drawing strength from the thought of you and the children. Your letters are a balm to my weary soul, each word a precious gift that reminds me of the love and warmth waiting for me beyond this frozen hell. I carry your likeness close to my heart, a beacon of hope that guides me through the darkest of days.
gmr, I long for the day when this terrible conflict is but a memory, and I can once again hold you in my arms. Until then, know that I endure for you, for our family, and for the hope of a brighter future. Please kiss the children for me and tell them their father loves them more than words can express.
Yours always and forever,
buzd