Camp Near Center State, Ala. April 27^th

                       

Dearest Etta,

                                    I have rather an inconvenient place to write but guess I can manage to scatch of a few lines to you for I know you are expecting it and I would not keep you waiting if I could help it. I have delayed writing now longer than I should if I had been in camp. We are scouting along the Tenn river from Eastport to Decater whatching for Forest to cross and are in our sadles most of the time. the regt has ben out now about five weeks. I have not been out so long. we are having a good time living off the country. some days we have the best of grub and others none at all. The rebles are all on the other side of the river and do not trouble us much. we talk across to one an other frequently and visit back and forth under flag of truce. 

 

I rec^d another token of your afection a few days ago, and you may rest asured it rec^d a cordial welcome. evry letter you write is a source of happiness to me. I remember once when I asked you to write to me you said your letters were not interesting if you saw me reading them you would think different. but now you know they are interesting to me at least.

 

Dear Etta you say you cannot write to me with out your Mothers consent. I admire the respect you have for your parent and love you the more for it. your Mother should be your confidant and advisor. I would not ask you to do anything without her consent. it is my desire that she should know all and since you have requested it I shall tell her, and should it not meet with her aproval I shall still continue to hope that I will some day return and prove myself worthy of your love. it is true I have been away so long that she knows but little about me and could not be blamed for wishing to know more of me before she consents, but if you tell her that you love / me (and what you told me) that you believed you could trust me I hope she will not opose us. I shall write her a note and sent it with this and then hope for the best. I have no objections to your showing her any or all of my letters if you think propper.

 

Dear Etta you say at times you feel sad and think you will never see me again you should not let such thoughts dwell on your mind remember the same kind providence that has whatched over and protected us thus far is still whatching over us and will continue to as long as we put our trust in him, so cheer up Dear Etta and hope for the best.

 

I have not seen Frank or his reg^t they are at Prospect about 14 miles from Pulasky.

 

I shall have to bid you farewell for this time, hopeing to hear from you again soon.

           

I remain your sincere and true lover

Henry.

 

you may read the note I send to your Mother and then hand it to her.

SOURCES