Ocean Springs Miss

August 22^ond/64

 

My Dearest Brother

                                    I was agreeably disappointed in last mail day by receiveing your dear letter of the 6^th I had received six since my return from Mobile & did expect to get any more for at least a week, but when Kate came from the Post Office & handed me the bundle of papers without saying anything about the letter I felt my heart sicken for although I had tried to persuade my self that I did not expect a letter from I did expect to hear from you through Lizzie & when I did not see a letter you can imagine my disappointment but when your precious letter was given me all was joy again Your letter says / three (3) Companies of the 4^th were captured but the papers do not give a list of so many. I wish that the papers would tell the whole truth or say nothing at all. I hope Cap^t Devall was not one of the captured ones. I see from the papers that Mr L. Gostenhopher was again wounded, poor fellow it is the third time. I hope he will soon recover & Mr White is also wounded! how in the name of all that is wonderfull did he happen to get near enough to the Yankees for them to get a chance at him? Fannie is anxious to know whether he was not wounded in the mouth as she thinks that mustaches the most conspicuous part of him. She (Fan) says there is but one man the Confederate service that she would not shed tears to hear of being wounded & that is White. but I tell her that is not so I know that she intended to have a good cry when she got home last night and that I intended telling / you & that you would tell White how much interest she took in his fate & she begged hard for me not to tell any such thing for says she the fool will believe I do like him. Contrary to our expectations Mama has not thought anything dreadfull of Willie's not being where you can see him. I never saw her so hopefull as at present But the weight of uncertainty about Pa being removed so unexpectedly accounts for her hopefullness. I think I trust you have received my last containing two letters from Papa. Have you received our photographs? & what do you think of mine I will not ask what you think of Jennie's for I believe I know that. every one that saw mine thought it a good likeness but I dont I was told by several persons that in my picture I looked like you & then I loved the picture a little better.

 

                                    Oh! Brother indeed you do not suffer from being compared with anyone. if such had been the case / you would not possess the large share that you do of my heart. if I had ever yet met one who could compare with you I would have ere now been heartless Jennie says there is but one man in the Confederacy worth loving & I think so too. now Mrs Myers told me to give you her best respects & good wishes & say that she hoped soon to have the pleasure of seeing you. She says she never knew a young man that on so short an acquaintance she thought & still thinks so well of. I know you will say I should not be so credulous as to believe all people say but in your case I confess I am very weak my heart is easily won by praise of you I cant help it it will love anyone that seems to love you. Miss Ada Holt says after looking at me some time you dont resemble your Brother one bit take off your hat & let me see of course I complied & took off the hat now she says You do look something like him & didn't I love her then Good by Affect in haste

                       

"Sis"

SOURCES