Memphis                                                                            

Aug 6 Sept 1862

 

Memphis Sept 6^th 62

Dear wife and children i am well yes well i have just red 2 letters from you and one from John Walker…J W asks me for lols hand in mariage. you know i am not there and if i was so disposed to kick against it it would be of no use. now Ruth you know that it is not my principle for parrents to choes for there children no no, but tis the duty of parrents to give good advice and instruction O my dear Ruth all i have to say to you at this time concerning Laura and her _______ is to ask you to try to have them wate untill new years and give lol parrental advice

 

Sunday Sept 7^th..62

Memphis Tennesee

Dearest Ruth i write a few lines today i was garding prisioners all night we now have just come off from Sunday inspection tis 11 oclock i am hungry i will fry some onions for my dinner…i do not feel verry well but it is my heart that feels so sad i am happy to hear that Sibby is so much better may it be the will of god that i may get all my sweet ones eare i sore to worlds unknown. Ruth you may rest easy as to my truness of heart to you and my god from whence all my comfort comes. you have my prayers and best wishes dear Ruth. you wished to know that dream but i will tell one that i dreamed last night i was at home several days my once own Ruth was washing i reached for her hand She looked at me with scorn then asumed her washing again i fell on my knees by her side and wept…i then awoke with sob, a sy, and i then threw off my blanket looked at my watch it said 2 so i talked with the officers 2 hours then went on post / So you see that is a dream. well it troubles me some today but i will go to our union class that a few of us have formed and pledged to worship together

 

well it looks like rain does rain some well we have had no fighting to do since the evacuation of Corinth maby the enemy will try to retch this place but Gen Sherman has a good force here and the gun boats can help us so much and we have good fortifycations but Gen Hulbert has left with his division tis true it leaves us rather weak but we can hold the place against twice our number by the help of god. we will put our trust in him Now Ruth pleas write ofton, i will do the same i wish i was with you but i cant get a furlo or discharge but times will be different some day yes i hope so O for a closer walk with god

kiss the children for me yours untill death

                                                            J G Scoville to family

 

Sept 8^th 62 Memphis Tenn.

            Dear wife i will write a line or 2 this morning tis 7 oclock the mail goes out at 8 so i must hurry we drilled batalion before breakfast O i wish i could come home this month yes but keep of good chear dearist i think it will be all rite yet. god doeth all things well

 

there was a fire hear this morning some houses of ill fame burned 2 woman burned to death          J Scoville

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