Letter from S. J. Holmes to Mary Susan Little, December 30, 1861

Shantung Dec 30th Dear Sister I can only write a short letter this time for we have had such short notice of the mail leaving. I received your letter a few days since was glad to hear that it was the Home Guard that Sam had joined. I hope they will have only to stay at home. I think that is certainly the place for a man with a wife, four children a Mother in feeble health and an unmarried sister to look to him. I certainly believe it right to defend ones home from harm let who may be the enemy, but to go and kill those who were once your school & playmates, and many of them dearer still brothers in Christ because they wish to separate from those with whom they consider it no longer their interest to remain united, you can never convince me is right. I can not enter into a