Handsboro Aug [paper hole]^th 1864  

                                   

We have had terrible commotions in the mail accommodations for the last week & my temper has not improved much under the succession of disappointments. yesterday we understood that the Yankees had taken the mail sent from this place Tuesday. the fair ones of H. were very much annoyed as but very few if any had failed to write by that, some because they did not want to write again & others like myself because they hated to have the—I liked to have said something not ladylike—Abolitionists perusing letters intended for dearer eyes. "I'm sorter mad" now & expect I'd better not attempt to make myself interesting.—What do you think—there's been a line Genl on the coast with all his staff. perhaps you know him Genl Major I believe he has permission to remain here 90 days. at least rumor says so: but how any one can come home now when every one is needed on the field is incomprehensible to me. perhaps he has other business here though & if so may he never know the slanderous reports now in circulation. The Y's paid another visit to the beach yesterday but what their visit was for I cannot tell. they say they are going to bring coffee flour molasses irish potatoes &c. to distribute among the poor. the first benevolent thing they ever did I reckon. We are amxiously awaiting the arrival of the mail now God grant that Ft Morgan has not fallen as reports say for then I tremble for the safety of Mobile. What if communication is interrupted?! I do not believe I could possibly survive the intelligence. A Creole Mr. Fayard leaves tomorrow for Atlanta & I intend sending this scrawl by him. Irwin forgive the haste with which this is written for I'd only a few minutes notice of his messenger being here after letters. I did not write yesterday because there was no mail on account of the enemy's presence / in the Bay. plague take them I wish they were bathing in the Dead Sea then maybe we could see each other instead of being dependent on this miserable line for news of the other. loved one I must bid you good bye & very loth I am to as I could told you many things perhaps interesting were it not for want of time. God bless you loved one & give us a speedy victory & early peace. You see how much hurried I am from the incoherency of this Good bye love more than I can express & as many kisses as you like by the way. I dreamed of getting a delightful one from you last night. we had been together nearly a week but always in the company of others so of course you could not bestow the much coveted treasure.

                                                                                               

Yours devotedly

Jennie

 

Aunt sends love & Laura ditto

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