Head Quarters Dist. of Memphis
	     Memphis Tenn. Aug. 8.th 1863.
Dearly dearly Loved Emma.
				Your
dear. good. loving. letter Came safely
to hand this morning. and like a
good dutiful Lover I hasten to re=
=spond.
	Tis evening. the labors of the
day are done with the Exception of receipt=
=ing occasionally for Dispatches which now
and then arrive at Head Quarters

from our Pickett lines which
are somewhat disturbed this Evening
by the Enemy. whether they are in any
force or not we are unable to as-
-certain this evening _ but most probably
it is nothing more than a Cavalry
Raid.
	Darling _ dont _ you imagin we would
be two of the most happ “Creatures” in
America if we were only with Each other
this Evening _ for my part I should
be perfectly Contented _ I am getting
weary of this dreadful monotony _ I want
“Some One to love” to Caress _ and where
Can I find such a person _ not in
Memphis _ But way up the Mississippi
across the State of Indiana _ in the
State of Michigan _ in a little Woodside
Cottage _ lives my darling she whom

      I love for her noble qualities _ for _
herself _ not for money _ but her gentle
&. Kind disposition _      I love you my
Pet because I know in you I Can
find a Companion _ who through Every
recissitude _ &. trial on lifes ruged pathway
I would find one who would be true
to me Still _ Through Sunshine or
Storm _ Adversity. or prosperity _ the
same Cheerful Emma with all the
ardor of her deep Affection _ would
Stand by my side the same cheerful
angel like being ready to sympathize
in afflictions hour _ or smile when
prosperity with its beaming face made
me happy.
     “Two souls with but a single thought
       Two hearts that beat as One _
	Emma dear _ ‘Tis thus that Mark would live


		[1863, Aug. 8]


Darling:
	  I do not distrust your affections
I know my “Pet” is too true &. noble to deceive
me. and Loved One I want you to Consider
me true _ to you _ You know you are dearer
to me than anything Else on Earth _
     Though all the world were arrayed
against you Love. I would still love
you _ Yes – indeed and all the more
for then my Sympathy would be arroused
in your favor. No it makes no differ-
-ance what others may say _ so long
as you say you are true will I
believe you.
		I know that it is an
old and I presume true saying
that “the Course of true love never
was Smooth” _    I expected and told
you the Same _ that some one would
try to predjudice you against me

when I was far away and unable
to take my own part. Like Wolf's
in Sheep's clothing they bight the hand
that would nourish _ and protect
them _ and darling that kind of
people sooner or later meet their Just
descerts _ for there is a [Retrabutive?] Justice
which overhawls them in due time
     When I Come to Chickaming
you will see how willingly they
will wallow in the dust before
my feet Ha, ha! I hate and pitty
such people _ for they have no
minds of their own and are but one
degree above the brute Creation _
	Tell me darling _ did you ever
hear of such people ever doing one
[mananimous?] act? I never did. I am
glad if “Jim” Still remains my friend
You know I told you that beneath
his offhand _ Independant manners
there existed a good heart. I believe

      it now more than ever.
	I hope that nothing will prevent
my seeing you this fall _ I shall 
Certainly strain Every muscle to accomplish
the End. Oh! how happy would I be
were I with you Emma. but we
will be patient. The obligations I
owe my Country are higher & more
holier than all others _ that duty per-
=formed I am then free to do as
I will.
     My Father is very anxious that
I return to Minnesota as soon
as my “time” Expires _ If I go into
business in Minnesota Emma must
go with me _ That is very Certain _
     I must Close write very soon
and long letters _ thats right darling
     Love to your Mother _ Respects to Jon.
&. family _ &. Lots of Kisses for Emma
		Your affectionate &. Loving
			Mark


P.S. This letter the greater or
last part of it has been written
during business hours consequently
it has been manufactured double
quick _ Excuse writing
     Cousin Deloss will very
likely soon be discharged from
the United States service to
accept a position in Military
Telegraph Corps _
     Write Soon Darling
		Your Own
			Mark