Head Quarters Dist. Memphis
		Memphis May 7th / 63.
My Dear Dear Emma.
			There
are times when the humane
heart will feel sad _ when
every exertion towards consola=
-tion fails to effect the desired
object. Most always I am happy
and contented _ Indeed it is very
seldom I allow my feelings
to overcome me. _ But tonight I
am sad and lonely _ all my
exertions to the Contrary not with-
-standing _ Oh! that I Could
rest my aching head _ my fevered
brow in your lap dear Emma _
while your fingers might wander
through my locks _ I am sure I
should then feel better. This
morning while I was engaged
in writing. I was notified _ that

that the United States _ Hospital
Boat “City of Memphis” had arrived
from Vicksburg _ and that a
very intimate friend of mine
names Thomas Harris _ was lying
dangerously ill on board of her.
	Of course I visited the boat
immediately _ But darling Emma
Such sights as met my gaze
upon entering the Cabbin _ There 
lay over three hundred poor
suffering creatures _ Some in the
very last agonies of death. Some
       n
groa^ing under the excruciating
agony of horrible wounds _ &.
Still others burning and parching
with dreadful [feavers?] _ In some
places the sick dead _ and dy-
-ing were lying side by side.
Oh! Dear Emma when
gazing upon such sights I
could but exclaim My God
has there not been suffering Enough
enough to satisfy the Cravings

     of Traitors. Must this awful
carnage still go on? But my
final conclusion was _ yes let
it proceed _ Let Thousands upon
Thousands suffer worse _ than all
this _ before the honor of this Great
Nation _ should be blemished. If
my turn Comes next. If I am to
be sacrificed _ among our ‘Countrys
Martyrs _ be it so. I will not nay
Cannot Complain _    I found
my friend Thomas very sick
he has gone to Saint Louis
Missouri, where I hope he may
recover in due time.
			In answer
to your inquiry _ in regard to
the final Conclusion of this “Cruel
Rebellion” _  I would say. First
that it is mearly a question of
time; that we shall finally 
Conquer _ the South there is no room
for doubt _     The only question is
				          -lish
the length of time necessary to accomp-^ 

it _ and this depends upon circum-
-stances alone _ Should Genl. Hooker
gain a decided victory in Virginia.
Rosecrance defeat or repulse the
enemy in “East Tennessee”. _ and
Grant obtain possession of theMiss-
issippi River _    The rebellion would
then be cut directly into _ their supplies
cut off _ &. surrounded _ and harrassed
[illegible in original] upon every side _ their “[illegible in original]
Leaders” would soon begin to
travel out of the Country, and
peace would reign through out
the land in six months there after
     But on the Contrary should our
Armies meet with reverses _ greater
time _ would then be requsite. to
accomplish the desired object.
     My opinion however is _ that two
years at the out side will
vindicate the National honor _ and
secure an honorable peace.


	[1863, May 7]


Darling much loved Emma,
why dont you Join the “Good 
Templars”. Did any thing I wrote
you in a previous letter deter
you from it?
	          I should have
no objection to your Joining
them _ and were I in Chickaming
I presume I should encourage
it _ as a “Social Institution” _ But
I must Confess the evils arrising
from them in Aurora _ Counter-
-acted _ what little good _ they attempted
- but never accomplished.
				I am
feeling bad this evening _ and
must Close _ You will excuse
the writing _ wont you? Darling, &.
take the will for the deed.
	Providence permitting we shall
meet this Summer or Fall.
	     Dear One you did right
in writing _ about your sickness
I am very sorry _ I hope you
will be much better from
this time on.

Cousin Deloss is first rate
is looking for a letter from
from you every day.
		Dearest Emma I
love you as devotedly as ever.
I will prove it when we meet.

	Give my love to your Mother, 
Best Respects to Jon. &. family
and believe me your own
Promised & Loving _
			“Mark”

“Emma”
	Dear


P.S.
  Madam Rumor with her
“Thousand.” tongues reports that
Major Genl. Hooker has gained
a decided Victory in Virginia
I hope it may be so.
		Yours alone
			         Mark