Franklin La. Jan the 24^th /64

Head Quarters 116^th Reg^t in the field

Miss Hutchins

 

                                    As it has been A long time since I heard from you I thought it would be overstepping gentlemanly propriety in writing the second epistle. but I have waited two months & A half without receiveing any tidings of you and thought it might be posible you did not receive my last epistle. as there are chances of its being misscaried.

 

excuse me if I am trespassing on your good graces by writeing this epistle I must confess I am quite ancious to hear from you once more if that must be the end of our corispondance which I can not be convinced untill I hear it from your language. before I procede further I will inform you I have received A letter from Hattie. She/informs me that her husband and herself are enjoying good health also temporaly in addition to this she recomends her friend Mariette to me I shall be verry sorry if I am deprived of your corispondance as I am verry fond of receiveing letters from those whome I known as respectible people (even if they are Strangers to me by personal knowlege if they are so highly recommended by so dear a friend of mine as Cousin Hattie) perhaps you are aware that A soldiers life is one of loneliness and letters are all that A soldier has to comfort him in his lonely hours. it is a lonesome place for me deprived of all female society except (nigro Wenches) and they always look to me like midnight and the society of Soldiers are not the society I prefer as they are so profain and vulger and not many of them/ever thinks of any think of any thing moral or good and seem to care for nothing but to pass away time to the best advantage they can and that is playing cards some for amusement some for money & misery. oh! how glad I shall be when I can once more associate with civil society. I will not fill this sheet for it may be it will not be excepted with a good grace. I will say I am sorry if I have written any thing that will be offencive to you. I have thought that I did take a bold step when I asked you to send me your likeness in my last letter and I did not know but that was the reason of your not answering it. you probely thought I was taken a step ungentlemanly for a stranger. I allow I did but the reason I had in doing so was to put ourselves in a place whear we might get better acquainted. but perhaps you do not wish to forme A mutial acquaintance with me. if so please inform me of the same. I will add that my health is good never better than at the presant time. I wish you & yours the same blessing. Miss Hutchins you will do me a great kindness by answering this let your answer be what it may. I wait patiently and anciously for your answer hopeing it may be with my wishes. good night as it is 11 oclock and I must retire for the night

            I  am your obedient Servant

                                                            Stephen A. Matthews

P.S. Address

            C^o. D. 116^th Reg^t N.Y.S.Vols.

In care of Cap^t E. W. Seymore

 

please write soon as you receive this.

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