Letter from William Hardy to his wife, Sallie Hardy; 03 May 1862

              Doctor Jones near Gordonsville, Virginia 
May 3rd, 1862

My Dear Devoted Sallie,

This lovely Sabbath morning is the first time I have been able to sit up since I wrote to you last, which was last Tuesday. I have had the most severe attack of diarrhea I ever had in my life. It was a succession of attacks of cholera morbus. Doctor Jones says twenty years ago it would have been pronounced cholera. I feel very well now except I am very weak. I shall not be able to rejoin my regiment in a week yet. The regiment is now about forty miles from here across the mountains in the valley. Our whole division went up to reinforce Stonewall Jackson. There is no way for me to get there except to walk or hire someone to carry me over there, which I shall do if possible. If I continue in bad health, I shall quit the service and come home. I may get a furlough and come home anyhow between this and first of June. You need not be surprised to see me at any time.

I haven't heard from you, my dear, in just one month today. Your last letter being written on the 3rd of April. One reason is I think my mail has been sent on to the regiment. You have no idea how anxious I am to hear from you. I have not heard from the regiment since it left except that it had crossed the mountains. I have not heard from the election. Don't know whether I am elected lieutenant colonel or not, but think I was not. Having been absent, I couldn't see the men and talk with them, etc., etc., which you know in a matter of that kind amounts to a great deal. I haven't heard from Lieutenant Griffith since