Johnstown Pa March 2^d/64

                                                                                   Wednesday Evening

Sergt. F. C. Miller

 

My Friend Frank.

                                                            Again I sit down to converse a few moments with my soldier friend, with whom I hope to converse some day face to face, if this “cruel war” spares your life till that time.

I had hoped to have seen my other unknown friend during the past month, but was disappointed, as his time was too short. His home is in Iowa, and his regiment in Alabama, so that it required some time for him to go home, and return. He has reenlisted.

 

I also received a letter yesterday from a soldier in the “Army of the Gulf,” who talks seriously of/reenlisting, but thinks he will come north, and go in the regiment with his brother who is in the 54^th P.V., where a great number of our Johnstowners are.

 

This winter has been rather quiet in town, no parties scarcely at all. I have not been to a party in town for about a year and a half. I have some notion of going down to my cousin’s in Armagh just for the sake of mingling in general society again. I do enjoy society so much, and feel the deprivation of it very much, as I have been almost entirely deprived of it since Anna’s loss, as she does not feel like mingling in general society, and I do not like very well to go alone.

 

Some of the folks here were very much afraid of the draft, but our quota has been more than made up, so that the necessity of a draft is avoided.

 

Your letters always cast a shade of sadness over my spirits. It grieves me to think that you are not yet within  the folds of the church, and especially of the love of Christ./

 

            Oh, how my heart would rejoice if you would write to me that you were enjoying the sweet peace of the gospel. But prayer must avial at a throne of grace, and I will still continue my supplications in your behalf.

 

A friend of mine wishes me to answer an advertisement for her, from a soldier in your regiment. He gives his address as “Corporal” Co. G. 50^th N.Y.P.V. If you have no objection, and conclude to finish the letter which I have begun I will enclose it to you, and then I can know if the person is a worthy person. Of course I would write under a fictitious name. I have hardly time to take up an additional correspondent but for the sake of my friend, who is fond of fun, I will try it. My health at present is good, and the rest of the family are in usual health, with the exception of slight colds.

 

            Accept the kind regards of your friend

                                                                                    Mollie E. Bowen

(write soon)

 

[margin]          Your letters are still delayed three or four days beyond  the proper time but still they come.

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