Aug 13^th..62

Memphis, Tenn

 

Dear wife and children i write again informing you that i am well, hopeing and praying thes lines will reach you the same. O how thankful i am that i have a dear family to write to, and to write to a lone soldier poor me well my morning work is done and i am in the shade once more i try to be chearful and lively but tis hard to do and i try to sin not, and i think that i lead a tolerable strait forward life (we are all liable to eror) lets live so in youth that we blush not in age this is the time to serve the lord 

 

To woman what does nature give?

Beauty she gives instead of darts,

Beauty instead of shields imparts:

Nor can the fire nor sword oppose

The fair victorious whare she goes

 

Grace was in all her steps

Heaven in her eye

In all her gestures dignity and love

O tell me whare thy strength doth lie

 

My lovely one

Whare the power that charmes me so

In thy soul or in thine eye

 

Now dear Ruth be as contented as you can and i will relieve you of your ancious care and hard strugling and toil i know tis hard for you to have so much on your mind this war is not to last allways no it will play out before long / O how happy i would be if it was played out now but they cant keep me but 2 years more any way they fix it. we was sworn in to serve 3 years or and then we are going home war or no war that is those that lives yes going home to injoy private life and friends and kindred dear, who has toiled with anctious care, and prayed for our wellfare thanks be to god for friends at home Ruth you have a friend in the army yes one that thinks of you all most nite and day and every eavening prays for the wellfare of one that is far far away yes and for those dear sweet children..O could i but see you all. nomore at present but remain your J G Scoville /

 

Laura, i will write to that John Walker some time

Be a good girl is all i have to say

Philander you must

Be a good boy to and help Mother as much as you can—those little children i all most know will be good and kind to ma and to eachother. your pa will come to you be fore long

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