John G. Scoville to Ruth C. Scoville et al., 20 September 1862
John Griffen Scoville to family
Memphis                     this                  Sept 20th                      62
 
Dear Ruth good morning [stained]
 
O how can i bare to [stained]
 
name ever dear but i will write to my wife and children yes eaven when troubles comes ore my mind and sharp anguish and affliction comes i will try to write yes if it ware all i could do i must tis a duty to you and to my god
 
            Now sweetest and dearest and best friend on earth i am not well i am home sick but you may think that i mite be at home but i have tryed for furlows and discharges untill i am discouraged. do you think of me ofton or am i forgotton for some time and some thing occurs that causes my name to be spoken. O how many different scenes of life this life tis but a desert drear, heaven is my home there i will sing of him who washed my sins away and be with angles there is no battle field there all, all is love yes love what is love maby i could tell but pleas o pleas my dear one tell me what love is 123456 i want to see you all so bad that i dream of you ofton my heart is with you but this body is a way away down south in dixe maby i will see you on earth i still hope i may i have not herd from you for a long time i sent a box of clothing by express look at the express office at marion i did not prepay it let me know how much they charged $175 is what they sayed it would be i had no money at that time o the scenes of camp life you may have a [stained] /
 
Memphis Tenn Sept 20  62
when will i see my dear companion and children dear…will it be on this side of that eternity or will god in his goodness and mercy permit me a soldier to live to see his affectionate family and spend a few years in peace and joy o may the lord bless all of you i trust i have your prayers dear one
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well thank god i have herd from you once more it brings me good news yes that you are well again but i am sorry that you think that i did not aprove of Lols doings now Ruth read that letter again and see if i spoke so rong maby you did not understand me i sayed it was hard to give her to another man if i wrote rong things pleas forgive me
 
O i think that i will come to you some day i will come as soon as i can if i live i know it is well enough to have loveing friends but i cant buy friends at present nor would i give much for friends that have to be bought one good one onely i wish to love more than all others on earth [stained] and prais him for his blessings and promises
 
well i have just had dinner i red your letters with much pleasure o my dear Ruth dont pleas dont blame me if you knew my feelings i have a heart as well as anyone but all will [stained] when i get [stained] i can explain all [stained]
 
tell J W that i respect him and wish him well, and my dear Laura pleas do as you think best and all will be well put your trust in the lord J.G.S.
6861
DATABASE CONTENT
(6861)DL1314.07390Letters1862-09-20

Tags: Camp/Lodging, Clothing, Discharge/Mustering Out, Dreams, Duty, Food, Furloughs, Homesickness, Love, Mail, Marriages, Money, Peace, Religion

People - Records: 8

  • (2292) [writer] ~ Scoville, John G.
  • (2294) [recipient] ~ Scoville, Ruth C. ~ Chapman, Ruth
  • (2295) [recipient] ~ Scoville, Laura Olive ~ Walker, Laura Olive
  • (2296) [recipient] ~ Scoville, Philander S.
  • (2297) [recipient] ~ Scoville, Princess
  • (2299) [recipient] ~ Scoville, Ruth ~ Thew, Ruth
  • (2307) [associated with] ~ Walker, John
  • (2308) [recipient] ~ Scoville, Sylvia ~ Kindle, Sylvia

Places - Records: 1

  • (136) [origination] ~ Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee

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SOURCES

John G. Scoville to Ruth C. Scoville et al., 20 September 1862, DL1314.073, Nau Collection