Head Quarters DistofMemphiS
	     Memphis Tenn. Dec. 9.th 1863

			Oh! Emma –
how can you doubt my deep , and
true Affection for you. Indeed you
are wrong to thus Censure me. it is
too bad darling _      I must say that there
is foul play somewhere _ for I have
written toyou promptly upon the
receipt ofEvery letter _ Oh how sorry
I am that you dear Emma whom
I so fondly love should for one
moment doubt my Earnest love
for you _ Surely there are not
words Enough in the English Vocab-
-ulary to more than half Express
my love _ Although I may not
in every letter have told you
that you were dearer tome than

all the world yet nevertheless it is
true true true _ And ifyou have
not dear One received my letters reg-
~ularly it was not because I was
toblame _ but Caused by irregularity of
the mail _ Dearest Emma _ never
doubt me again _ Oh! its Caused
me tofeel so wrechedly to think
for an instant you _ You whom
I so dearly love could doubt me _
I loock forward to the time when
I Can once more Embrace you _
with more than Ordinary delight,
Yet while Providence evils other-
-wise we should not Complain
Should we darling?
	Why were I to doubt you
while thus separated Life would
be miserable _ and it causes me
tofeel as bad tothink you
Can Consider me Either directly or
indirectly false toyou _

     I am very sorry to learn you
are sick so much _ What is the 
Cause dear. Do you worry about
me? If so you must not do so
any more for I am among friends
and were I sick or any accident to
occur. I Should well be taken Care
of ~
	Circumstances may transpire
that will sendme toChicago this
winter on business _ If so you
will see me again _ before long
I do not wish you to Expect
me for it is only in a certain
Event that you can expect me
But we will hope a little my
Pet.
	I am extremely busy for
we have not yet quite finished
our organization of the Militia
force in this City _ and we
have tolabor very hard

Now Emma never doubt me
again _ Do not worry about
me _ But love me with your
whole heart as I doyou, and
then we will be happy
	Deloss is now at Lafayette
on the Memphis and Charleston
Rail Road _ still Engaged with
Military Telegraph _ got agood
thing.
	[Snow?] sends respects
Best respects to you and
family _ Love to your Mother
  Write Soon again
	     I Remain
		Your Own loving
	          and devoted
			Mark