N. Stonington Dec. 18^th 1864

            My Dear Court—

Your letter of the 8^th I received last night and I was as usual very much pleased to hear from you. I think you must have been in a peculiar mood when it was written for it made my heart beat terribly to read it. Do you often get into such a mood? because if you do you must be very careful. I think it is dangerous for some situated as you are. but hope it will not prove so for you. I am afraid if you had been home that night, something terrible might have happened. but Oh! if you would come home if you were here to night I’d/risk it I’ll bet wouldn’t you? but perhaps you can come home some time this winter and then we’ll see wont we? and if you can’t come home this winter, the nine months will soon pass away before we are aware of it they will be gone. only think it is over nine months since Father died and it don’t seem but a little while. I did not know but it would be necessary to take the precaution you suggested for I tell you it was pretty tough. How I should like to see you. I have got lots to say that I don’t dare write. Can any man be so degraded as that officer must have been. Suppose it had been my Court. What should I do? You won’t do so will you? Mamie would not love you if you did, but I am not afraid to trust my man/he is good. I am glad you are going to have some photographs taken. I want you to send me more than one. Ellen Tracy says if you don’t send her one you will catch it. I wish I could have a large one to frame. I had rather have that, but I will be satisfied with small ones. I guess you have got whiskers. How I do wish I could see you. I love you better to day than ever before Darling Court. best Court in this world. Oh! if I could see you just for one day even, I would be so happy. I am glad you have no notion of re-enlisting, for I would not have you do so for all the money in the world. I have had an invitation from Hellen Davis to come down there and spend Christmas. I think some of going, though I may not—/

Court it is dreadful lonesome to “Fena’s” with you gone. You say it is hard to be separated so long from those you love. I find it so very very hard. Sometimes I want to see you so much I am most crazy.

Monday evening Dec 19^th. I did not finish my letter last night but will do so now. I have made your badge don’t know as it will suit you but it is the best I can do. Ben’s folks were down Sunday. Ben said he had written you twice and received no answer. he says if you had answered his last letter you would have had a sword if he had got it himself. but he did not know whether you had got one or not, but I guess it is one of his big stories. I do want to see you awfully to night. It is cold and rainy and Mamie is so lonesome with her Court gone. I feel just like having a good cry. Oh! if you were only here. Dear Dear Court When shall I ever see you again? My God! Can I wait nine months longer? it seems to me I never can I have about given up going to Davisville. Write often Court and be good as you always are.

                                                                        Mamie