Chancellorsville Camp, The Wilderness, May 5, 1864
My Dearest Rebecca,
In the dim light of this tent, with only the flicker of a lone candle to keep me company, I find myself compelled to put pen to paper. The air here is thick with the scent of gunpowder and the distant echoes of battle, but my heart lingers back with you, in the warmth of our home.
Today, the fields of Chancellorsville bore witness to another fierce engagement. Our men fought with valor, their spirits high despite the relentless push of the foe. Yet, as I scribble these words, my thoughts are not of strategy or of the next day’s battle plans, but of you, my beloved Rebecca.
I see your face in every quiet moment, your laughter in the rustle of the leaves, and your strength in the resolve of our soldiers. How I wish to share with you the sunsets here, which, though beautiful, cannot compare to the light in your eyes.
The war drags on, and with each passing day, I yearn for the peace that will bring me back to you. But until then, know that every decision I make, every order I give, is with the hope of returning to your embrace.
I am ever careful, my love, for I know the pain my absence would cause you. I am surrounded by brave soldiers, yet none fight with the ferocity that the thought of you ignites within me.
Please, keep our home warm, and our memories alive. Tell the children stories of their mother, the general, but more importantly, of their mother, the woman who loves them and you beyond measure.
I send this letter with a prayer for its safe passage, just as I pray daily for your well-being and happiness. Hold onto hope, Rebecca, for I am holding onto you, even from afar.
With all my love and longing,
Lyra
General Lyra Valkyria, Union Army
