Engineer Depot            Washington D C

                                                                                                                        Jan 3^rd 1864

 

                        My Dear Agnes

                                                this beautiful sabbath morning finds me seated to write my regular sabbath letter another year has pased away and we are yet spared to welcome the begining of another I trust in health at least I am in pretty good health my throat is a little sore but not much. I spent my newyears in the camp quietly sitting around my tent evry thing was quiet here during the day. but I spent the night in quiet slumber just as I spend the most of the nights only when I get so cold I cannot sleep good then I get up and build a fire which warmes up our shanty so we take another nap and by the time we build two or three fires it is morning but we generally stick to our bed until about four oclock/

 

it is now after 9 oclock inspection is over and I have nothing to do but to write to her whom I love and I am not going to write to any one els to day for my friends all owe me letters even Agnes owes me a letter not more than one letter yes Agnes two letters is due me. but I will not be cross Agnes will write me when she can. I know you are kept very busy and do not get much time to write so I wait patiently for the arrival of the letter that I long to receive from her I long to see. but as I will not sell my self for a few hundred dollars I will be kept pretty close but I care not if I live to stay my time out I will have done enough and I will not again enter the service if I can help it for I am getting very tired of it some twenty of our company have reenlisted and will start home on a furlough of thirty days in the course of two weeks but Frank will stay patiently at his post until a final discharge is given him. I do not believe you want me to re enlist do you tell me when you answer this letter. my boy friend is getting better slowly I was to see him yesterday afternoon and spent some two hours pleasantly/

 

I heard from my brother not one a week ago he was well but I guess he does not think of writing to me my three brothers that are at home are about like him I have not heard from them for some time but had a letter from my little niece she told me they were all well but wanted to see uncle Frank and I wanted to see them just as bad but first of all I want to see Agnes and steal a kiss, and if I live to return I will be in disguise so you will not know me. this is a lovely day and it seems more like Sunday than any day or any sabbath has for a long time how I wish I could enjoy your company to day. I am tired of being in no other company than that of my own sex you know it is not my nature I like the company of the fairer sex or gentler sex as well as fair. it is not human nature to keep each sex by them selves and soon very soon creates discontent and unhappiness just to think to be three long years in no society only that of your own sex, how would you enjoy your self if you were not to be in any society only that of your sex for three years would you not get discontented and unhappy. I have reason to believe you would./

 

I will now close wishing my Dear Agnes all the happiness that earth and heaven can give

my love to your Mother Aunt C Dan

            and others

 

                        except the sincere love of your

                                    true lover         Frank C Miller

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