Handsboro Aug 10^th 1864      

           

My dearest Irwin

                                    I see I have commenced at the wrong end of this sheet but that will make but little difference with my sweet heart so he gets the letter. You see from this that I'm at home again & consequently you may expect long letters again. Bless you, you dear old sweet soul. I found just exactly the number of letters I wrote you that I'd expect—6—bearing dates respectively 15^th 16^th 17^th 19^th 23^rd & 24^th. You are the best person living loved one, for no one else would put up with my foibles as you do. now listen I'll make no more excuses or entertain more fears as to the welcome my epistles will meet with at your hands. are you content? but now dont think that your patience is not going to be tried to a sore degree by my first piece of information. I wish you were here that I might talk you out of the ill humor I know you will give vent to when you learn that Sis & I had to come home alone from Mobile                                    now give under & listen to reason you have had sufficient time to cool off a little. Whew! aren't you sorry I'm not near enough for you to eat me up. I'd like to see you & not be seen when you get this and I do most sincerely pity the unfortunate courrier that troubles you now—spare! him Irwin spare! him. let your wrath fall on my devoted head for I alone of all the world am to blame. We went there as I wrote you with the two Mr. Seals. they were on their way to the legislature. times were very exciting. mules were being pressed for goverment purposes. I had Aunt Mary's buggy-mule & could not get it home without bringing it myself, and decided that 'twas best to bring it even at the risk of causing your anger to rise for well do I know how very particular my lover is. Anola did not wish to come but rather than see me come entirely alone / concluded to risk your wrath too. we left at half past three Monday evening and got as far as a Mr. Moores, the next day we had to stop at twelve o'clock on account of a thunder storm coming up got through the swamp the next day and as far as Alford's ferry but the woman would not put us across because the current was so strong & of course we had to stay there until the next morning (yesterday) & got home yesterday evening late. we got through very well and you may thank your stars for getting so brave a sweetheart. Oh! horrors Aunt has just told me that 'tis Friday instead of Thursday and after eleven at that most mail time & I had intended writing such a long long letter to you. I am more disappointed than you can possibly be for while in Mobile I was too unwell and nervous to write much & I feel as though deprived almost of bread itself. How did you manage about cooking utensils? you promised to tell me but did not. I feel curious to know what our modern Robinson Crusoes do. I agree with your opinion of Macaria in all but one thing. in the case of Electra's How could she loving Russel as she did feasibly overcome her feelings enough to act a life time lie. had she married the artist she would have had to say I will love, honor & obey him as long as we both live. love! Oh! God to love one passionately, fondly & vow that love to another. Irwin you shock me beyond description you only look at one side of the picture view both in the same light & how differently they will appear. The artist's love was selfish in the extreme. he saw that his idol loved another and should have restrained the expression of his love for the sake of the loved one. but I had nearly forgotten that these were only fancies of the brain not real. I'll look for the description of your disappointment as soon as the book comes home. I'm my "own mistress now" am I? beg pardon my dear you are very slightly mis-ta-ken. What you do not wish me to do when I become your wife I certainly / shall not think of doing now. Mrs. L. L. Davis is with us today and of course I must stop. darling do not think that I'm making amends for past shortness in this. I will have a splendid letter in length at least, ready for the next mail. You say in one of your letters that you did not know I had a brother any where much less in the army of Tenn. That is true now for my dear Frank was killed in one of the last battles. God only knows how truly I loved him. I had no idea what a vacancy his loss would occasion till he was gone. I have this consolation he was a christian and a noble soldier. Good bye loved one May God bless you & in His own good time return you to me (Sis will leave for home Monday) Much love from Laura & Aunt Mary. I never have a letter but Laura says "How's Lieut. Nettie" & then she gives me such a sweet kiss, bless her she is one of the sweetest girls. Aunt says she never intends to spare me again that she could do nothing but walk about & wish Jennie was at home & the children declare they won't let me take a school any where in the world for you must know I am the life of the house. but I must stop blessings unnumbered & kisses too. love untold from

                                                                                   

Your Loving

Jennie

SOURCES