Cutchogue, N.Y. Aug. 5Th, 1863 My Dear Son

Cutchogue, N.Y. Aug. 5th, 1863
My Dear Son,

You are aware that this day has been set apart by the president
of these United States as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God

for the success with which He has crowned our efforts in putting
down this dreadful rebellion which has been raging now for two and a

half years and I feel it is my duty and I feel it is a great
privilege to write a few lines to you. We were disappointed in not

receiving a letter from you yesterday. I hope you will not think
we have forgotten you or that we are losing any interest in your
welfare that we do not write oftener. An addition of six in our
family keeps all very busy, but we are all blest with pretty good
health and are getting along comfortably - Therefore we are under
double obligations to render thanks to our heavenly father for the
success with which he has crowned our arms on the field of battle
and also for mercies and blessings in all our domestic relations - I can
truly sympathize with you in your long and tiresome marches end

yet it was remarked in our union prayer meeting last evening that
it was very evident that God had heard and answered prayer in your
behalf there had been such a small share of death end suffering
in your regiment compared with many others. You will probably
hear before this reaches you that there was an arrangement between

the three ministers for all to meet together at the methodist
church and conduct "the services on the union principle but for
some reason or other the new church folks have backed out it is said
and are going to meet in their own church (I do not know how a certain
portion of that church can meet and join in the services of this day
when they have openly rejoiced at some of the repulses our armies
have met with ) If they can reconcile it with their God and their
consciences let them do so it is not right for me to Judge.
The other two congregations will assemble in the Methodist Church
and I hope with thankful hearts for benefits received It is now ten
o'clock and I must close if I had time I could easily fill up
two sheets, please remember me to all your fellow soldiers who
have ever known me - to Henry - D.T. Conklin and to Col. Woodford
in particular write as often as you can and believe me your

affectionate father.

D.Billard