Pulasky. Tenn. April 5^th 1864.

           

Dearest Etta,

                        As I expect to start out tomorrow morning to join the regt in Allabama I thought I would write you a few lines for it may be the last for some time. I do not know how long we shal be out. it may be some time. I wrote you a letter only a short time ago. this is the third I have written since I received one. I am looking anxously for one evry mail. I rec^d the letter you wrote me before I went home to day it has been to the seventh Illinois Cavelry and went from there to Springfield and then here it was quite interesting if it was old and so was Johns. you said in it there was suspisions cast on my caracter why did you not tell me that when I was up. I did not hear anything about it. I would like to know where they came from.

 

Etta, tomorrow I shall be galloping through the woods watching for geurillas to jump out of the brush evry moment but while I watch my thoughts will be on something different from geurillas something / afar off in a distant land where geurillas do not travel a little treasure that I have and am only waiting for this war to end to go and find it and claim it as my own. Dear Etta you can easily guess what it is so I will not tell you. how it makes my heart bound with joy to think of it. it ocupies my thoughts in the dark still night while on duty. And in camp it cheers my lonely hours. it chides me when about to do rong and encourages me in the right. it is a blessed thing to have something to love. Etta I wonder what you are doing tonight weather you are thinking of me perhaps you are writing me a letter I think not though you are likely busy getting the supper table off the floor it is about time. I wish I was there sitting in the little parlor in the old rocking chair waiting for you I know I would not have to wait long before Etta would be in a chair by my side. Etta I must quit writing my short piece of candle is about give out and there is none at the sutlers. so Good night.

                                                                                   

From your true love,

Henry.

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