Write soon. All join in love to you

                       

Your Affectionate Aunt

Lizzie

 

Brandon Sept 4^th 1864

 

Dear Johnnie

                        And now, you have not forgotten your old Aunt. Again my heart laughed with joy & the sight of a missive from you. When I tell you that your best correspondant, Aunt Lou, has gone into Vicksburg, you will be shocked, but it true nevertheless.

 

Let me explain a little & then you can excuse her. Aunt Sallie was very feeble & no friend near her not even a neighbor on whom she could call, & fearing that in her present condition, she might die suddenly, Ma thought it best for Lou to go in & remain untill she could be relieved by some other member of the family. I regretted so much that there was a necessity for Lou's going /

 

Jack got back from Bolivar to day. His arm has healed, but he has no use of it yet. I suppose he will gain strength after a while. He has had a pleasant time in Bolivar. While Nola was in Mobile why didnt she come on up to see me. Had I have known to whom to direct a letter to, I should have written to her, insisting on her making me a visit. E're this you have had a letter from Lou Gibbs. She can speak for herself.

 

We have all been sick with sore throats, accompanied with billious fever. I myself was quite sick for several days. This charming little place is as dull as ever, not scarcely ruffled by the noise of a dog fight. Yes, yes, I must not forget that we are encamped about by an host of malitia who are as invincable as an armed host can well be of their capacities. It is very remarkable that such gallant Lieut's will tell alarming—what shall call it, stories? tales about their / acheing affections. Now Johnnie, why do you deny, that which you know is true. Miss Bessie you know was in Mobile & since knowing as much as I do about your intentions, I see no excuse for your asking me to give you any information, upon a subject which you are so well posted on. I am truly glad to hear through Annola that your Ma had heard from your Pa. With them I sincerely hope that he may soon be at home with them.

 

A retrospect of the last three years is indeed a cause of great sadness with you who see your friends and comrades mowed down by your sides: remembering that your regiment will now be consolidated, and the most of its members have fallen by a foe. You are hourly reminded that you are rushed into the harvest of death & that your life is scarcely your own; but / your soul is of your own keeping & it is with you, my brave boy, to give it an eternal rest, after life's strife is o'er. I believe it is now thought & rumored that Gen Taylor will not cross the river. To day I hear a slight rumor that Gen Forest with his gallant soldiers will make a dash into Vicksburg. I do not believe it. Should he do so, I hope he will be fortunate enough to keep possession of it and use the guns with the greatest facility in useing up the Yankee transports which plough the waters of the Miss. After this month, I hope Willie will be able to stand the camp life & that his constitution will be renewed. Give him a great deal of love for me & tell him to write to me. When you are furlough next, please come by & see me, I wish to go on with you, to see the consumation of that little affair of your's & Miss Bessie's. Be sure you do come. Do you understand?

 

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