Fort Norfolk Virginia

Wednesday Feb 25^th/63

 

Friend Euphemia

                        Your kind letter of the 19^th inst. came to hand this morning and I take pleasure in replying immediately. I have anxiously looked for a letter from you several days, and as I did not receive any I had concluded your health was too delicate to permit you to write, and was taking the liberty of writing again, and had my letter nearly finished when I received your welcome letter. I was afraid that another cause besides inability was also hindering you you from writing, but I was unwilling to believe I had lost the friendship of my most cherished friend, by too frankly expressing my own. I appreciate your kindness in receiving my letter with kindness and I admire you more than ever and more than ever fear you consider me as unworthy of you / as indeed I feel myself, apprised as I am of your many virtues and amiable qualities. Nevertheless, regardless of consequences and without your permition, I have dared to love you with the most ardent devotion.

 

You tell me you cannot fully reciprocate my sentiments. may I hope they are partialy reciprocated. you donot bid me hope, neither do you tell me I must quite despair. I admire your good judgment in thinking the subject an important one. I think myself it is worthy of the most sober thought and serious reflection. I am aware that your that your turn of mind is different from many young ladies, and if I would have placed my affections on a coquette, you would have been the last person I should have placed them on. You think to fully reciprocate my sentiments might prove a source of sorrow to both. Let the result be what it may, could I ever regret that I loved one that is dearer to me than all else on Earth, or can I love you less because Providence / sees fit to afflict you. No I can never regret that I loved you, and as for your afflictions I can only pity you, but most sincerely wish I could share them with you. You think it strange that your letters interest me. if you knew how deep an intrest I take in the authoress you would not think strange that I so anxiously await their arrival and enjoy their contence. I am glad to learn that you take an intrest in my letters, and I asure you I shal take pleasure in continuing the correspondence until you think it propper to discontinue it. I am sorry to learn that your health is so poor, but glad to hear that it is improving I trust the change for the better may tend to enspire that hope and courage which is so necessary under all difficult and trying sircumstances

 

No.      Give not way to vain regret

            It is no balm for woe

            It cannot close the hidden spring

            From whence thy sorrows flow

            But with firm unwavering faith /

            Hopes bright sunshine borrow

            And recollect though dark today

            It may be fair tomorrow

 

I trust you will not write to me when there is danger of its proving an injury to your health. I will be content with writing to you, and knowing that my letters are kindly received. This leaves all of those from Hopewell in good health and spirits. Your brother is well and on picket duty today about one and a half miles from here Allow me to remain as ever

 

your most sincere and devoted friend

Russell F. Wright

 

To Miss Euphemia O. Gillet

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