Dear old Comrade, and old boys of Co. "F" where'er you roam:
Your boyish faces are fresh in memories dreams. We are brothers and I love you still. Boys, our ranks grow rapidly thinner as the years roll by and our battles of life are almost won, and may the Master say "Well done."
Do you all read the "Confederate Veteran?" In it I sometimes find some of our old war songs that we used to sing together. Our company could sing as well as fight, you know. Now if I try some of those old songs my voice chokes and my eyes grow dim with tears in sad sweet memories of those who marched with me.
Say, boys, let the home stretch be as pure, as true and patriotic as in life's morning when we marched to music of fife and drum. Oh, time how fleet.
But yesterday I saw the camp fires surrounded by the boyish faces, but my white locks and the rugged path behind me say it has been years.
Mr. James Cook arrived here on the 2nd, Inst., from his visit to Calhoun, and I wish to say to the friends who sent me greetings through him, God bless them. I appreciate them all.
Mr. Cook visited my old home, west of Pittsboro, and hunting grounds of the long ago. At my request, he went to old Frank's grave; Co. "F" will remember the old darky that followed me through the war. He was a negro 'tis true but he was possessed of a true and noble nature and I reverence his memory. But enough of this.
The Monitor is a regular visitor and I enjoy the many items. Although I have been away from Calhoun nearly thirty-seven years, it has a warm place in my heart. You have a good county and many good people, from my point of view, though your people should grow a greater variety of products
That is a good stock country, as most of the grasses will grow well there. Alfalfa would grow there almost through the entire winter; could be pastured and then cut for hay in the spring.
I have often thought of the many fine streams there that could so easily be utilized for irrigating pastures and crops. Irrigation is all the go out here and lands that can be irrigated are out of reach in prices. Some other time I will write more on this subject, also, of our orange crop and of our little city, Redlands. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
P. H. Covington and family are well. B. P. Davis another old "Free Stater" here is o.k. He is an old bachelor still, but says he is going to Calhoun next year to look him up a better half.
Now, I should like to make some inquiries concerning our old boys but fear my letter is already too long. Will some of them write me? There is Reuben Countiss, Ben Landreth, "Old Bragg" {Jack Maxey,} Mose White, John and Irvin Bryant, Jerry Shepherd, Cap Bagwell, Joe Burns, "Old Doc" {Henry McGuire,} John McGarity, Jim Stewart, John Hastings and Bill Barton. I can't name them all here, but the whole company dwells in my memory and I would like to know of them all.
Well, my crippled hand and the length of this letter admonish me to stop. Meet me beyond the river to "Rest in the Shade."
W. D. Covington
9th Grand St.
Redlands, Cal.