Charles Roberts to Maggie Roberts (15 March 1865)

              In camps [nr] Edgefield [illegible]., So.Ca."
March 15th 1865
My dearest wife,
Yesterday we left our camp near [Hamburg] and travelled
about twelve miles and bivouaced for the night This morning at
daylight we expected again to be on the move but received orders 
Early this morning to wait for Army [Hd Qu train] to pass us and 
I do not think we shall move until tomorrow morning. It rained
very heavily last night but now (about noon) it is very pleasant 
and the breeze is quite warm and [balmy]. I should not be sur-
prised if we have a thunder storm before night. They are becoming
quite frequent of late and the [Evening] we left Augusta it commenced
raining just as I commenced parking the train and before it
was completed, I was thoroughly wet, not a dry stitch of clothes
on me. The rain poured down in a perfect avalanche and the
wind made the [limbs] of some of the dead trees fall about
in a most reckless and unpleasant manner."
The country thus far in South Carolina is very poor;
nothing but pine and sand, occasionally varied by red clay hills.
I thought Georgia in regard to soil was poor enough but I am
inclined to think So. Ca. would take the premium unless it improves 
and they tell me this is a good average. If it was land we
were fighting for and not principle, I should be willing to 
let them take S.C. and Ga without a struggle. Take the soil throughout
the state of Miss. and I think the average will Exceed any state
in the Confederacy (on the East side of the Miss. River) for good land."
I see by yesterday’s paper that there is a Yankee [force]
from Vicksburgh advanced as far as Jackson – whither to go to Mobile 
or [Selma] is not known. I hope they did not disturb you any as 
the came [on]. It makes me feel very uncertain as to the probability
of your getting this letter, for I fear they have broken the road 
between here and Jackson, but I feel that I must keep writing 
to you darling and will continue to do so whilst there is the
possibility of my letters reaching you."