N. Stonington Oct. 26^th/64

            My Darling—

                                    Mother Stanton has just come from Westerly and brought me no letter from Court. What can be the reason? I do want to hear from you very much. should have written you before but have been waiting to hear from you, but I will wait no longer. I hope you are all right. I have not forgotten you. I have been thinking of you and loving you all this long time. Nothing very important has transpired since I wrote you before. I attended/the funeral of Lieut. Steadman last Sunday, at Armory Hall. He was a mason and buried under masonic honors. The band was out and also the Rifle company and the masons of four lodges. I went with Deacon Brown and his wife. He was 1^st Lieut. in the 12^th Conn. I never saw such a crowd to a funeral before. Mother Stanton and I went visiting yesterday to Capt. Stillman’s. George is off on the water [?] and his wife is on Block Island Ed has taken a school. He is going to teach in Widow Jess Maine’s district for twenty dollars a month He has got his certificate.

Well I guess I have written all the news so quick.—

Deacon Brown says they have offered John a Capt’s commission if he will enlist and/go from Brighton, but he don’t know whether he will go or not I hope if he goes at all he will go back to the 21^st on your account, as it will be pleasanter for you. Perhaps if he would go back to the 21^st as 1^st Lieut. they would promote you to 2^nd. I wish they would We are having beautiful weather now. How I wish you could be home. we might enjoy ourselves so well if you were, but next year at this time I am in hopes you can be with me. I almost know you will come home now as you have stood it so long. Oh! how happy I shall be if you can live through it and come home alive and well. Some say the war will certainly end before spring, but I am afraid it will not. Goods fell last week but have gone up again/

They have not heard from Rans Kenyon since the late battle and they are afraid he is dead or taken prisoner. Sheriden done well in his last battle. I don’t know but he will get ahead of Grant if he keeps on. I think he is smart. The diptheria still continues to be quite prevalent. There are several new cases of it. Doctor Collins says it is more dangerous than the Small pox. I think Mother and I ought to be very thankful that we have not had it. Well Court I am good mind to give you a good scolding for not writing. I love you most to death, but I am just as mad as I can be. I know how I’ll pay you when you come home, but I guess I will forgive this time if you will write pretty soon.

                                                                                    Mary L. Stanton

Do write often as you can Court for a letter from you is so welcome. I had rather have one letter from you than a thousand from any one else.

            Good bye my only darling Court and don’t forget—

Your Mary