Cotage Home N.C.

January 11.1864

 

Remeberance of [ink blot]

                                                It was with much pleasure that I spent a portion of last Sabbath evning perusing your pleaseant little note, connected to the words of on W Richmond. little did I think while reading them, they would so completely suit my preseant situation. But such is the fortune of war. Friend Mag. Before permitting my mind to wander off to the scenes of war I earnestly desire to call your attention to a sentence or too of your letter. The first is why is it you so deepely impressed it upon me not to tell Laura what you told me about her. This is what I canot account for in but one way, & that is simply becaus you have not got the confidence in me that I have in you. I toled you when you toled me that I never would tell her or any person else & thus it shal forever bee. When I tell you any thing that way I rest contented that it is safely layed in the repository of the faithful breast. Mag I doo not wish you to think that I believe that you told me that to turn me against her for never did I believe that you would doo such a thing notwithstanding I have so been informed. I have toled you many things that no other person has ever got for the simple reason that I believed it was gon home to rest. / Again you spoke of leaving Hopewell If so I hope you are going to the Army where all good people ought to go Believe me when I speak from experience and tell you that Hopewell I have always found to bee the garden of Eden in comparison with many other places that I have traveled over in my past life & knowing that your time has past much happier than mine I am led to believe that your life has been a happy one & shielded with many pretty Cataba flowers. Feeling a deep interest in your future welfare [faded, paper fold] & contented yourself. In the Cotage by Sea. So when this crual war is over Still hopeing we will meete again. Mag you have doubtless herde & seen my invitation to the Army of Northern Va I will leave on the first of March. I want to Sea you & have a long talk with you befor I go come home with us Sunday & if you can stay weeke I will take you home any day you wish to go. In concludeing my briefe note I will thake you for your gentle advice of being a good by. I hope you will be a good Girl & when this eval war is over Praying we will meete again. Truly Yours S. J. McElroy

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