Aurora Aug 18th / 62
Darling Emma.
	            Your dear
good letter has Just come
to hand and I hasten to
responde. Oh! Dear Emma,
how I wish I could see you
and have the pleasure of	
Kissing Your dear good lips
  But no. it cannot be at present
yet I hope and Trust the
day will yet come when
we shall be Joined in such a 
manner that parting will not
be necessary. Wont that be Joy _
ful dear Emma? I must con-
fess (You know it is right) dear
One that I am not happy when
separated from her whom I love
so dearly. Yet dearest I look
upon your picture which your
dear Mother gave me _ and I can
assure you I derive a vast
amount of comfort by it

[Written sideways on left-hand side of Scan 1]

There is much more that I would write but it is
time for the mail to close _ and so much I answer soon
						        “One Kiss”

I wish I could tell you how
many many times your dear letter
has been read and reread but
I Cannot suffice it to say I can
almost repeat Every word in it
	Last night I attended a Party,
met a great many of my friends,
who were Enjoying themselves much
But dear Emma, Mark did not
Enjoy himelf, for the Girl whom
he Loves so much _ was far away
my mind was with you dearest.
and there shall it Ever be.
	Dear one. you must not
doubt my love: Believe me when
I say you are dearer than all
the world to me. I do not _
No I will not doubt you. for
I believe you too true _ too noble
to deceive me _ I have your word
and That is all I will ask:
	I am sorry Annie caused
herself so much trouble on my account
Of course I should have been
glad enough to have bid her good Bye

     But you know dear Emma my
     time was all occupied that
night.
           We have not Enlisted yet although
we have used our best Endevors for
that purpose  The Navey is full
and we are cut out _ We Could
go in the Western Gun Boats Service
But the boys dont any of them wish
to do so it is so very unhealthy _ Yet
we may finally conclude to go in
that Branch of the service _ There
are several openings _ and we are
trying to decide for the best.
	Mr. Goodwin wishes me to re-
turn to Michigan _ and if I should
be rejected for any reasons I pre-
sume I would go “Back” but only
on your acount dear Emma. for
I could do better here _ The C.B.&.Q.
Rail Road _ have made me some
good offers which it would be to
my advantage to accept _ But I
am entirely unsettled _ for I dont
Know what I am going to do.
     I am sorry we cannot go in

the Navey for that was our
Choice. But dear Emma, You
shall know all as soon as I can
find out.
	       You wish to Know if
I would like to have you write
oftener than I do?     Dear Emma
You must do as you think best
about the matter. The oftener the
letters come the better. However
I presume I would answer every
one you send. (Try me and see)
      This letter is going to look horible
Dont you see how the ink has
rubed off _
	Dearest. in case I enlist
and can obtain a “Furlough” would
you like to have me come and
see you? However Mum is the
word! You write a good letter
dear Emma and Oh! you cant
imagine how good they make me
feel _    Please answer me as promptly
as you can _ for I am anxious to
hear from you as often as
possible. Those Wilkinsons Girls have
no right to treat you cold _ You are too good
to be misused by any one I Remain Yours alone
 Ever so many Kisses _ Good bye _ Write Soon _    Mark

[Written sideways on left-hand side of Scan 4]

The Boys all send their best Respects to You and
Your Mother _ I send Some to both