Dear Beloved Wife,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I trust the homestead is in good order and that the boys are well? How is my sister, I pray she is better after Michaels death. With you and the boys there she should be recovering fairly quickly. Just remind her, should she despair that he fought valiantly and died fighting for the emperor.

I am writing to you after drills. It is a fairly clear day with only a slight chill in the air. It made our twenty mile march fairly comfortable and easier then it normally is, or so it seemed. My legs can hardly handle another mile march, but we are going to go into battle within the hour. When I can't go on I find that thoughts of you keep me and urge me forward. I know how proud you, the boys, and Emperor Boulevard will be of me with every mile I cover, and so I go on.

Last night a member of our regiment was awarded with a medal of valor. It was quite an honor to watch. Emperor Boulevard stood before us all, majestic and proud, and off his own chest he took a medal, while two soldiers supported an exhausted man between them, Emperor Boulevard reached forward and presented it to him. He told us all that if we keep up the good work we too can receive a Medal honoring our hard work. It was an inspiration, that even if I live to be 83 I will not forget. It encouraged us all to work harder, to continue to fight on.

Pierre has brought along a bottle of wine, and after today's battle he has promised to share it with myself and two others in our brigade. It is a far cry from what the other men are used to. It will be a rather light drink to partake in for gentlemen who are used to swelling amounts of ale, mead, and pints of brandy.

A few of the men decided to pillage the British corpses after the last battle. It was most distasteful if I do say so myself. However, it did ease the tension around camp.

Antoine has married one of the camp followers, Alexandra. She is rather nice and was widowed just yesterday. Mayhap they will find happiness, and they will both stay alive long enough for Antoine to get the heir he needs. I wish them the best, and have taken the liberty of wishing it for you on their behest as well.

I must march now my love. Your love is my calefacient and I shall keep it close to my heart. May the lord keep you and the boys.

Vivent longtemps l'empereur,
Jacques deVillier

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