Johnstown Apil 30^th/64

                                                                              Saturday Morning

 

My Friend Frank.

                                                            This lovely morning I shall occupy a short time in answering your ever welcome and interesting letter, which was received yesterday. Your account of what was going on in the “Army of the Potomac” I found much more interesting than that which I read in the daily papers. I suppose it is because I have confidence in the authority. I hope you will continue in well-doing by sending me all the news as it occurs. You will note that I am answering this a little earlier than usual. But I did not know but that you might be again sent to the front and perhaps this may reach you before you start./

 

The “arm-chair” is sitting with outstretched arms waiting for you. Anna says do not fear but that she will know you. And even I imagine I should be able—from your photo—to recognize you as I am told it is a good one. Just come and try us.

 

            Anna confirms your remark that you are fond of music. If you sing basso, we can have all the parts when you come; for you no doubt know that Anna can sing the soprano while I sing alto, and Will Pike—who boards with us—sings tenor. We miss my brother-in-laws voice so much, as he was a spendid bass singer. Sometimes I think it cannot be that he will not return to us. But such are the chances of war. I hope that I may never again have that dreadful word “missing” written opposite the name of any friend of mine.

 

A cousin left for the army last evening. My parting advice was to not allow the rebels to shoot him, but to take fair aim/at as many of them as he could. You wish to know about “Moore”. He was reprieved by the Governor. He looks well, but appears kind of wild. ‘Tis said that when he was selling off his furniture, he would forget and be selling the same thing two or three times.

 

I suppose everything looks more like summer where you are than here in this colder region. But even here the earth is donning her coat of green, and the trees are putting forth their leaves.

Anna is scolding me for my poor writing, but I can attribute part of the blame to the pen I am using.

 

Many changes may occur in the space of four months, still I look forward with a hopeful countenance to the time when your time will expire, and you be released from the ties which now bind you, and be free to visit your friends, for I have vanity enough to think you will not forget your friends

                                                            in Johnstown P^a

 

            Ever your friend

                                    Mollie E. Bowen

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