N. Stonington Oct. 5^th 1864

            My own Darling Court—

It is evening and a very pleasant one too. Mother and I are here alone as usual, but where is Court: Still we miss him, although he has been gone so long, I am just as lonesome without you as when you first went away.

                                                                        I last night received a letter from you, but it was written before the battles, and therefore I am as much troubled about you as ever. Where is my Court to night? Is he sick? Is he in battle? Is he wounded? Is he dead? or is he alive and well? Oh! how much I/would like to hear from him to night to know that he is all safe, but I must be patient. I dreamed a terrible dream about you last night. God grant that it may never be realized. I dreamed that you were dead and some stranger there wrote to inform me of it. How happy I was when I awoke to find it but a dream.

                        I was surprised to hear that you were sick again. I did not know before that you had the Fever & Ague. I should think you might get your discharge on that. Do try for it wont you? I almost know you can get a discharge, at any rate I should think you could get a furlough until you get better. I hope you were too sick to go into the battles with the Regt. If you are sick and cannot come home I should think you ought to go to the/hospital. I know you are too sick to fight.

                                    Mother went up to Clark L.’s yesterday. Their oldest boy is very sick. It is very sickly about here now. Hosea’s youngest boy is sick. He has got the diptheria By the way they have named him at last. “Henry Clinton.” I went over to Sam’s yesterday and staid while Mother was gone. Sam Avery and his wife seem to be very happy. Why couldent it be you that is home instead of him. but never mind—you will come some day wont you? I am sure I don’t know what to write, there is no news of importance. if you were home I could find plenty to say I guess. If you were only here I would love you so, and hug you, and kiss you most to death I know that if you are ever spared/to get home, I shall know better how to appreciate your company, and I shall love you more and better for having been gone so long. It will be the happiest day of my life that sees you safe at home with me, never to leave me again. How I wish you would get a discharge. So they have been promoting have they? I don’t believe John will go back. I don’t care whether they promote you or not if they will only let you come home. I want to see you so bad dear Court. I am tired of living alone, with no Court to love me. but if we can both be spared until your time is out I will try bear the separation patiently. Mother sends her love to you, says she don’t know what else to say. she is very much worried about you as well as myself but we are both hoping for the best Don’t fail to write as often as possible/

Enclosed you will find Will Palmer’s marriage but perhaps you have heard of it. Good bye God bless my own dear Court and spare him to return in safety to—

Mary.