Head Quarters Dist. ofMemphiS
	    Memphis Tenn. Nov. 12.th 1863,
My Own darling Emma,
			    Your truely
dear letter Came to my hand yester-
-day _ My labors in the Office for
today are finished _ but before retiring
to rest I must answer your dear
letter, and write also tomy dear
Mother in Minnesota_
			So long a
time had Elapsed since hearing
from you my pet _ that I had began
to worry on your account _ I feared
you were ill _ but the noble letter
penned by your hand dispelled such
fears and tonight I am once more
myself.	
	Last evening I went to the Thea-
-tre to see the new & celebrated Irish
Drama _ “Rory O. Moore” – I was much
pleased with it _ but as I Saw other

Genls _ Officers, and Clerks of the
differant _ Departments – with their wives
and Sweet-hearts _ (Some of them Southern
girls) Come into the Theatre _ I
felt sad indeed _ for I thoughtof
you dear Emma _ and Oh! how I
wished you were only with me _ and
were it not for the probibility of 
Our moving or my returning tomy
Company you could be _
      But I am yet a soldier
and subject tothe orders ofmy 
superiors _ and I Know not one day
Where I may be the next.
	General Grant has issued an
Order returning all men totheir
Regiments who are on detached
service _ outside of their Army Corps
I am not only outside of the A.C.
towhich I belong _ but am also
outside of the Department in which
my Company is doing duty _
	General Veatch is making every
exertion in his power to Keep me

How well he may succeed I am
unable even to Conceive _ However
my dear Emma You Shall be posted.
	Charlie Goodwin has returned
to his company in Texas _ He stayed
with me several days while on
his Journey _ we had agood visit.
	Deloss is at Collierville on the
Memphis &. Charleston Rail Road _
He came in and paid me a visit
not long since He said “Give my
love to Emma _ I am so Extremely
busy oflate that I find notime
to write toany one_
		         Dear Girl I
am unable to assign any positive
reason for James Gowdy's conduct
toward you _ Perhaps James did
think I would never return toyou
, and it may be he Loves you _ if
this is true _ I am sorry – and
yet dear One it is by no means
improbible _ However you must
by far have the best chance

for coming to a conclusion on that
point _
	My dear One _ I was envited this
evening toa  Private Southern Party given
by a Southern girl by the name of Hardwick
She was extremely anxious your humble
servt. should attend _ But as theboys say
I could'nt see the point. I preferred
staying in the Office and writing to
you _ My friend Snow is first
rate _ He sends his respects toyou.
	There has been troops arriving
   all day from the South _ forwhat
purpose I am sworn not totell _
But if things are not changed
materially in Tennessee soon look
outfor another terrible battle _
	Sweet Emma write tome soon.
Give my love toyour Mother
also _ respects to Jon. &family &Mr
Ames &.wife – and other friends
if Ihave any which I must
sayIbegin todoubt _
You know you always have my
love    I Remain
	Everyoursloving
		Mark