Head-Quarters, District of Memphis,
	     Memphis, Tenn., April 27th 1863.
Dearest Dearest One.
			        Your letter 
came safely to hand this after=
-noon while I was busy in making
out “Furloughs” for our brave 
soldier Boys _ I Can assure you
dearest I was tempted to make
one for “Mark” _ and pass it
over to General Veatch for his sig=
=nature _ So that I could go to
darling “Emma” _ But as Mother,
and Sister “Delia,” and “Mama”,
are coming down to Aurora
to spend the summer _ and will
expect me to visit them _ I had
better not make the attempt to ob=
=tain any “Leave of Absence” until
then _   But Dear, Darling. Loved
Emma.  I am almost Confident
before _ the September winds _ ruffle

the leaves arround your Cottage
by the Woodside _ You will see your
Mark _ Oh! Emma. I will nearly
smother you with Kisses _ Yes
I am sure when we meet we
shall be so happy _ that words
Cannot half express it _ Emma
does [Sausen?] Ottis – ever mention
my name. and what does he
say in regard to this poor
specimenie of flesh _ and blood.
He was an intimate friend of
my Dear Friend – “Freman Goodwin.”
	Oh! that this monsterous
rebellion was crushed _ How many
pray daily for a cesation of
hostilities _ I am very anxious
that Peace _ Glorious Heavenborne
Peace should once more shed
its benign influences over
our once happy _ and beloved
country _ But. Darling. before High
Heaven _ I now sincerely [decree?]
that I want nothing but War War

Death _ and desolation until 
we Can have an Honorable peace.
	No. may the iron tread of war
and destruction _ rage for five
Hundred long weary years. before
We compromise _ The Honor of
this Nation must be vindicated _ if every
Rebellious State is drenched with
Humane blood _ Every Southern
City laid waste. and thousands
and thousands of Our bravest
and best Citizens sacrificed.
	Dear Emma. Do not consider
me heatrless _ or unfeeling. ‘Tis my
love for the Land of my Birth, My
House _ My Country.
			The hardships
and dangers of a Campaign of
Nine months _ has not cooled my
Patriotism.    Dearest One. We
must never never Compromise with
Traitors _ The advantages we have
obtained must be followed up _ The
wealth _ and resourses of the North

must be given to the Government.
	Northern Copperheads and Traitors
should be hung higer than “Hay man”.
_ Do this and we shall soon
return to our homes _ and loved
Ones Satisfied with our labor.
	Dear Emma _ The other evening
I went to a Party. at the Residence
of one of the wealthiest Citizens in
Memphis There were many Federal
officers,  heads of Departments
and their clerks present. It
was a “Southern Party”. with all
the “appurtenantcies _ thereunto apper-
-taining”. there were many young Ladies
present. But none that could make
Mark happy _ None in that vast Con-
-course of Southern “Femenines.” that
looked to me as well as you dear
girl _ none _ so innocent _ and true _
 But there was paint upon their faces
and jewels upon their persons _
But none could make my heart
bound _ No. it made me Sad for
I longed to rush from their 

gaudy presance _ to some se-
cluded spot. where I could at
least think of you.
			I dream
of you dear Emma very very
often, and always think we are
happy.
	I am sorry you can-
sidered it necessary to cut off
your hair _ But it may come
in better _ and it may relieve
you from Head aches.
	My health seems very
good although my lungs are eff-
-ected _ caused by exposure last
winter _ in the Field _ I am having
good Medical attendants _ and
providence permitting _ shall come
out straight in the  long run.
yet I am not blind to the
dangers of the discease _ for when
it becomes seated _ [ten?] die with it

when one survives _ I dont say
any thing of this to pain you_ but
we promised each other to keep
no secret hidden from each other.
     This discease has troubled me
some two months _ I should have
told you ere this _ But I have
been waiting to see what changes
would take place this Spring _ Do.
not worry Dear Emma for I am
much better than I was some
two or three months weeks ago _
     Write to me often Dearest.
In my last letter to you I forgot
a very important item viz: Add-
=ressing you in the begining. When
I am writing “Private” letters in the
Office I quite often omit to com=
-mence by addressing the person _ as the
General often lookes over ones
shoulder supposing _ they are engaged
on Official Business. When I had
finished the letter my mind was
         off
called ^ upon some business

connected with the Office
consequently _ I sealed – and
placed it in Mail Bag _ not
thinking _ to finish the most import-
-ant part:
		Have letters from
Minnesota every week _ My
People are well and doing
First rate _ notwithstanding the
Indian Depredations upset
business affairs _
		Father is
anxious I should go into
business _ in Minnesota _ in
company with him after the
War _  Do you think you
would like the Country. Dear
One? It is a most beautiful
and fertile State. The Indians
are to be removed from there
entirely.
	Cousin Deloss is
first rate _ sends love to you,
     How's Lizzie? Answer this


Soon.    Give my love to your
Mother. Respects to Jim &. Family
and always remember I love you

		I Remain _
		     Your Own Loving
				Mark.



P..S..
	Charlie Goodwin
has not been exchanged.
   He has written but little in re-
gard to his visit in Chickaming _ but
says he has Important _ news to
Communicate when he sees me.

[To?]
Miss Emma Miller
	Chickaming
		Michigan