75
      Head-Quarters 1st Brigade Enrolled Militia,
	District of Memphis,
	    Memphis, Tenn., Aug 27.th 1864.
Dear Friend Emma.
		      Your letter
came to hand some days ago
and I would have answered your
letter Ere this time _ But Genl. Forrest
made his famous raid into Memphis
and turned matters upside down generally
,and we have only recovered from
the effects _
	     Emma God Knows from the
	         cesses
inner most resources ofmy heart. I pitty
you _   I never felt so bad over any
thing in my life _ and I do Condemn
myself in the very strongest terms
although I may not be as bad as
you thinK me _ For I Truely
Swear by my life &my hope of Heaven
I never intended towin your love
to trample upon it _ I Know you
are a good girl _ far toogood for
me _ and I Expect you will always

Condemn me in the strongest terms &.
perhaps look upon me as a false
hearted untrue _ unprincipled man _ but
I ask ofyou not to think too bad of
me _ for intentionally I would not injure
you in the slightest manner.
     Sometimes I think &. feel that my
mission upon this Earth has been
to heedlessly injure those who Come
in Contact with me _
	Dear Emma when I read your
last letter I wept for you Earnestly
my sympathy was excited (for I have the 
highest regard for you as a noble hearted
girl) and my prayers are now for
you _ that you may forgive me &.
that God may overlook &. forgive the part
I have played in this unfortunate
programme _
	        Dear Emma _ do you think
Every thing Considered _ that I had
better try and visit you this fall?
If so I will do it _ for I am resolved
that you shall Know that I am

not dishonorable _
		     Please answer this
Communication as Early as possible
     Good Bye Emma _ may God bless
&. comfort you
		   I am yet your friend
		                Mark