Johnstown Nov 20^th 1863

                                                                                                            Friday Evening

 

            Sergt. F. C. Miller.

                                                Friend Frank.

                                                                        Yours of the lies on the table beside me. I trust there will be no farther interruption of our correspondence—unless it be by mutual consent, and I don’t imagine that will be very soon. At least I hope not, for I enjoy reading your letters very much, although I know you must often find mine uninteresting.

 

            Your last letter pleased me more than I have words at my command to express. It gratified me to know that you were in such a frame of mind, for it encouraged me to hope that you would press on to perfection. I sympathise with you deeply, and always remember you at a throne of grace. I feel that my prayers are being answered. May God grant that you may soon find that peace/which passeth all understanding, and which none but they who feel it can have any just conception of. Exercise faith in God—my friend—who is able to wash away all your sins even though they be as scarlet. True repentance and firm faith is all that is required. The first I believe you have, and I trust the next letter will show that you have also the latter.

 

            A mother in heaven! What a inducement to press forward in the good cause! I often wonder what I would do without my mother. It seems to me there would be a void which no earthly love could fill. I have never lost my friend nearer than my brother in law, and that came so gradually that I could not feel it like I would if his death were certain. Even now I cannot bring myself to think that he will never return. But my expectations may all be in vain. I do not mention them to Anna. When I read of how our prisoners are starving in rebel prisons and hospitals, it/makes my heart ache.

 

Since the weather has been getting so cold, I often think of the poor soldiers in their thin thin tents, and think how much they are enduring for us. But my heart is especially drawn out to those who have to be out on picket duty in the cold and often in the rain. Were you ever out on picket?

 

To a contemplative mind, it must be pleasant in summer to have an opportunity to be alone and commune with nature, and thence lift the mind up to nature’s God. Still I suppose their is always danger in the position. I see that pontoon bridges are being thrown over the rivers for the crossing of Mead’s army, but suppose you are safe yet in the city. I hope this may find you in good health. We are all suffering from cold, with the exception of Pa. All send kind regards to F.C.M.

 

            Accept the kind regards and best wishes of your friend            Mollie E. Bowen

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