Engineer Depot            Washington D. C.

                                                                                                            Oct 25^th 1863

                                               

                                                Dear Agnes

 

                        I am seated to write you a few lines this morning in answer to your last which I received on tuesday it was a welcome guest Dear Agnes how I long for the time when we will be permitted to sit side by side and talk together instead of writing this morning is not very pleasant it looks like storm and the air is cold but I cannot complain of the weather for it has been very nice and I have been blessed with health and strength and with a peace of mind your wish has been gratified though not at your church but here among strangers and in a strange land. but the same blessed jesus who has been with your church has been here and his blessings and his love has been experienced in many hearts I was down to church last evening the meeting was a good one there/was some twenty seekers and quite a number of them experienced faith and hope in a precious saviour

 

oh Agnes I have long been a mourner for years back when I was boarding with your mother I often thought if I only could give up worldly enjoyment I would be happy but until a few weeks back I was a lover of the world and its pleasures but I now love to serve god when I think back over the past my heart is full and I cannot tell you how I feel god has been so merciful I have not deserved it but god has said in his word though our sins are as scarlet he will make them white as snow. Dear Agnes I could talk with you better than I can write and I could write a whole day to you could I have the time but orders are strict here and must be obeyed so I can have but a few minutes to write and this letter will be a short one but I trust none the less exceptible I love you for your good long letters but much the more for your hearts sake for I have always thought you possessed a good heart from the first evening that we spoke I could not help but love you I was lonesome and unhappy but the kindness that was shown me I cannot forget and Agnes I loved your mother she was/like my own mother in many respects but we were called to part for a time and during that time the ties of many loved ones have been broken. it has been so with me. one on whom I once bestowed the love of my heart though still lives but the ties of love have been broken asunder and I have since then loved one whom I trust I shall always love until death brakes the ties but death should not brake them on my part for how much we can still love the silent dead. I now close as there is no news of importance from the army give my love to your Mother Dan Aunt and others hoping this may find all enjoying the blessing of health

 

                                                except the love of my whole heart from your true lover

                                                F C Miller

                                                            to Agnes

 

                        did you have a

                        good time reading

                        my last as it came just as you were closing yours to me

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