Memphis tennisee

July 2 1862         

 

 I will write to you dear wife and children informing you that i am well hopeing you same i am cooking for the comp now but i dont think i will cook verry long for it is warm work down in this climate yes tis warme. well it is Sunday eavening the sun has set and i am sitting in front of my cookery in my darq house as we call them it is made of blankets whare i sleep or rather rest. i have got dinner and supper to day for 41 men by my sel so you may know that i am well /

 

Monday July 28..62

John Scoville to Ruth

and sweet children that are far far away Now Ruth i keep writeing letter after letter but O writeing does not reunite us nor bring back those happy days of youthful joy but i must not dwell on the past tis folly to look back. i anticipate some happyness on earth yet but i dont know whether i will realize my hopes or not. i know i have sined and transgrest gods laws but (will i not be forgiven must i be exiled exiled for life from love ones at home) O for a scene of happyness on earth and then away to heaven whare pleasure never dies whare the beautiful angels dwell yes whare tis eternal day. there our sorrow will ceas yes thank Jesus he hath [?] on earth to forgive sin and can my dear loved Ruth / forgive me pleas do i trust you have O may i ever live in the wayes of righteousness and in the path that leads to joys on hygh.

 

Well i must say one thing and that is this i expect to live in heaven O meet me there but i may live to see you on earth i hope i will our camp ground is on a beautiful green at the out skirts of town the pedlers lots of them comes in our camp with pies cakes apples peaches and everry elce that you can imagin the pedlers hear are principly women and children O how it makes me feel to see little girls walking along maby look some like Prinny and Sibby many a time i have turned from them to hide the trimbeling tears of sorrow or anguish. well dear ones if tis gods will i will come to you as soon as i posibly can but i cant say how soon for things looks dark at present 

 

tis sweet to live in peace at home yes but i have no home i have friends but i am far far away down in tennisee

 

well pray for you poor unhappy JGS i daly pray for you and for my self

 

give my respects to friends i will send money as soon as i draw it we have drawn clothes since we came heare maby i will send a box of clothing and blankets to you from this place if i do i will send them soon. good by for this time ever yours with respect

                                                                                                J G Scoville

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