N. Stonington Feb. 24^th 1865

            My own Dear Court

                                                I received a letter from you last Monday, but as I had that day mailed a letter for you I have waited a few days before answering it in hopes I should get some news to write, but I guess there is none. Of course you know Charleston is ours. I heard yesterday that Grant’s army was all torn to pieces but hope it is not so. It was some of Hosea’s news. I was happy to hear of your promotion think you must be very grand riding your fine horse. I should like to see you ride into “Thena’s” yard this morning./

Hope you will not get your mind so much taken up that you will forget all about home. Mother and “Mamie” and re-enlist. Most every one says you will but I don’t believe it. I guess Mother is a little afraid you will for she was telling yesterday of something she was going to get Ben to do “if Court re-enlists”. but I cannot think of it. If you should enlist for three years more I should have no desire to live any longer and I certainly think I should commit suicide for I would not pass another such three years for all the world to be separated from you and you in so much danger. think of it—a life that is so much dearer to/me than my own in such danger and the long waiting and suspence between hope and fear. It is bad enough to endure the separation from one so dear to me, for so long a time, but if I was sure of your coming home alive and well it would be nothing to this, and I must endure it six months longer. Thank God it is so near over, and you are still spared. But you’ll never re-enlist will you? for “Mamie’s” sake you will come home. Court if you should re-enlist I should know that you had ceased to love me and that I don’t believe. Forgive me for thinking of such a thing, but people frighten me when they say they “know you will re-enlist.” They’ll see./

I guess I shall go this afternoon to Ellen Peabody’s school break. I believe all the girls and boys are going. I wish my Court was here to go with me Mother is going to have a donation next Thursday night or rather the church is going to have one for her. Amos Allen folks say they are going to move in here in about three weeks. I believe that is all the news I can think of. The Shunoc Lyceum is growing very popular since the ladies began to attend. I have not been since I came home. This ink is horrid I can hardly write with it. It froze to death while we were gone I have not seen Lieut. Col. Brown yet. I would like to see him I sent your money in my last letter. Write often Good-bye my

                                    love     Don’t forget—

                                                                        “Mamie”