Decatur Ala

                                                                                                                        May 22^nd 1864

 

My Dear Fannie

                                    Last eve I came home from a fishing excursion and found a good long letter waiting me from my Fannie dear, and you may rest assured that it was read with much pleasure. I did not have very good success fishing the Quarter Master was out with me. we did not get a fish nor even see one, but we had a very pleasant time. we were on a little lake across the river. it is a perfect little gem. the shores are lined with the most luxuriant foliage, which offers a cool and pleasant retreat from old sol’s scorching rays. we were there until after the moon arose, and the effect was perfectly charming. the tall forest trees threw their gracefull shadows out upon the water, and every thing was so quiet and peacefull, the music / of the distant Regimental Bands as they beat Tattoo was borne to the ear by the gentle evening breeze. I wish you could have been there to enjoy it with me. I know it would have been a rich treat to you.

 

            I suppose you are all enjoying this quiet sabbath day at home as well as we are here. we have no church or meeting of any kind to attend as you do at home but there is here a certain peace and quietness unusual on any other day of the week. there are no men at work on fortifications to day, the men are all keeping quite in the shade. early this morning Capt Eckels (now my Capt) and myself went out and gathered some beautiful boquets which I now have on my table before me. I thought of you when gathering mine. how I should like to send it to you. I believe I will put in one little rose so that you can see something that grew in Alabama. there is one flower garden in this town that is perfectly splended so regularly kept. there has been a guard posted in it most of / the time so that its beauty has been preserved from the usual ravages of war.

 

            Fannie you would make a poor fist at soldiering I am afraid. I do not doubt but that through your love for me (unworthy as I am of it) you would make great sacrifices if by so doing you could accomplish any good, but thank God it is not demanded of you. no dear Fannie if I do sometimes suffer for the time being, it is always aleviated by the knowledge that at home there is one loving trusting little heart who is constantly watching and praying for my welfare and who sympathises with every sorrow and participates in every joy. You said you often wondered why I should so love you when I was acquainted with those more acquainted with the world and its ways. Well Fannie dear the only way I can explain it is because I can not help it, is not that a good reason. I loved you the first time I ever saw you and as I became better acquainted that love increased and now it permeates my whole being and has become a part of my very existence. I know it is has not / been misplaced. but Fannie I have already nearly consumed the time I had to write and will have to close. we have got to have inspection to day as we do every sunday. I should think that they might have it on some other day just as well. I have not heard from any of my friends for some time and I begin to think it is about time for some of them to write. Fannie I will enclose all the kisses you will accept and much love too. please write soon and believe me

 

                                                                                    Your Affectionate

            My love to all                                                                         Frank

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