Mobile, Aug 23^d 1864.

 

My Dear Brother;

                                    On Friday evening I was the recipient of your affectionate letter of the 12^th & should have answered it at once, but had not the time. yesterday I had company all day & would not write. Lucy & Kate H. came up in the afternoon & inquired particularly for you. they send their kindest regards & a wish that they may soon see you, which was echoed by your letter. You cannot imagine with what anxiety I look for your letters & with what eagerness & pleasure their contents are devoured. You ask "why was the third photograph retained?" I had only three taken, one for each of the girls & one for Mother; they were so ugly that I did not want them to take them & as the one you have is so much better I would not have one struck off for you. Although these look like me they have a careworn & haggard look expression. You think "Sister A's" & Jennie's are miserable! I wish you could have seen the first that Mr Burr took; why these are splendid in comparison! I will enclose the one I gave to Mother; now, is it not pretty? If you should lose & Sherman / should find it the victory will be ours for he would most certainly "Skedaddle" with all his army after him.

 

                                    So I did not say enough about Jennie? I wrote that I was delighted with her & I do most heartily approve your choice. To will be candid I must acknowledge that I was disappointed when I first saw her; she was so different from the person I had expected to see as my brother's future wife. You are so fastidious and after your description of "Bessie" I had prepared myself to see not a beauty but a delicate pretty creature, rather "petite" &c. Do not be offended my dear brother at my writing thus I know that you want my candid opinion. I do not think Jennie pretty but I do think her very sweet & lovely & in a very few minutes after her arrival I found that I could love her not for "Brother's" sake only but for her own & think you fortunate in having gained her affection. in my opinion she will make you a most excellent wife & render you a happy man.

 

Wednesday 24^th [faded] I had to lay this aside yesterday as Mrs. Fiske came to spend the night with us. she has gone to school & now I will try to finish it. I received a long letter from Anola last evening commenced at H. & finished at home. also one from Jennie under dates 12^th & [faded]. I suppose you have heard ere this of their / safe arrival at home & of Jennie's illness. she was much better although unable to sit up & very weak as I could perceive by her writing.

The enemy is still hard at work in Fort Morgan; the firing can be distinctly heard; it is said that two of the iron-clads were struck on Monday by the Fort. They went over to Fort Gaines. There has been heavy firing down the bay all this morning, but I believe it is an artillery practice by order of Gen. Higgins.

 

We treated the girls while with us just like home folks & were only sorry that we could not make home more comfortable & do more for them than we did. You need not have regretted that they accepted Mother's invitation for they were very little trouble & I should have felt very much hurt had they not have stayed with us & it was with regret that I saw them start on their homeward journey. I have promised "Sister Anola" that I will go home with you when you return.

 

                                    Oh! that you could learn something of Lt. J. my Brother I cannot realize that he is dead. If you only knew where he was buried, I should feel better, although I would not visit his grave. Had I the means & could find his remains, I would try at some time to have them brought here & buried in our graveyard. to visit his resting place would be some consolation. / I know it is wicked to murmur, but so oh! so often I am tempted to rebel against the will of God & ask why was he taken from me! Daily & hourly, I pray for submission but oh! it is hard, hard to bid farewell to him uncomplainingly. I wrote to him on the 6^th & see by a letter to Mrs. C. that it is in Cap^t. Devall's possession. he will return it. Remember me to Cap^t Cornelius when you may see him. I hope he is again perfectly well. How is your brother? Cap^t D. informed me that he had been quite sick. Mother sends much love. Aunt Sallie also. Mr. W. & the rest of the family unite in many kind remembrances. I miss you very much, how I should like to see you just now! I have so much to tell you. something particular that I do not want to put on paper therefore must wait until you can pay me a visit.

 

I have heard repeatedly that I was engaged to Lt. J. also that I had heard of Lt. __'s death which news had delighted me beyond measure! & many other things that I will tell you when we meet. Write soon & as often as you can. May God in His infinite mercy bless & shield you from harm & speedily restore you to your anxious friends!

                                                                                               

Your Affectionate

Sister.

 

P.S. Please destroy this; direct occasionally to Mr. Walker's care. I have been a great deal with them recently & Aunt S. comes here frequently. Continue to direct as usual to Mr. S. but once in a while send to Mr. W. he desires it & I like to please him, although it is less convenient. Do not fail to destroy this & the picture too, if you do not like it.

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