Aqua Creek Verginia

May the 4^th 1862                    

 

Dear Mother

                        I thought that I would rite a few lines to you I hav rote to harriet & I wanted to send it in your name & hav you give it to her I hav not time to rite mutch so you must excuse me & not feel hard I hope this will find you all well I am well at presant & I hope that this will find you all the same I dont want Chamberlans folks to see harriets letter if harriet is sick & cant / read it you read it to her if you can dont let them hav it you can take it out & read it for [?] I care but dont let Camberlans none of them hav it

 

give my love to Father and the boyes & kepe a share for your self & mary

                                                                       

this is from your son Abner B Palmer

to Jane Palmer

                                                           

Good by for this

time rite soon /

 

[page written in another hand]

 

I think the soldier should be allowed to speak also:

 

Answer to,

            "Praying that we meet again!"

 

"Yes, my darling, I remember

            How the sun went down,

And the night in regal splendor

            Wore its starry crown.

Where, sweet love, I knelt before you,

            E're I could depart,

And told my love for home and you,

            From a faithful heart,

Chorus—Trusting, hoping, praying,

                Prayer is not in vain,

                God who answers prayer can guard us

                Guard us 'till we meet again.

 

"I remember how I asked you

            E're I said 'good bye',

If you'd wear the crown of patience

            Ever trustingly?

And if God should guard your soldier

            Through these years of strife /

If you then would share my future,

            If you'd be my wife?

Chorus—Trusting, hoping, &c

 

"And you gave the pledge I asked you,

            Smiling 'mid your tears,

How the mem'ry of that promise

            Comforts, strengthens, cheers!

When the battle rages round me

            Comes thy gentle tone

And methinks I hear thee saying,

            "I am thine alone".

Chorus—Trusting, hoping, &c.

 

"When I tread the beat at midnight,

            When I march by day,

When, as now, beneath the canvas,

            Wounds and pain hold sway,

Ever, ever will I cherish,

            Thy fond promise given,

Calling thee, my good, sweet angel

            Dearest this side of Heaven.

Chorus—Trusting, hoping &c.                       M^c

SOURCES