[March 17, 1862, datelined from “Camp Laura”]
[some missing]
Our enemies are playing a good game pretending to restore
instead of destroying as we do; and I have no doubt we have plenty
silly enough to put confidence in their fair promises and soft whining
speeches. Will my Laura regard such? Can her faithful heart be turned? Something whispers “no never.”
I hope you will give the Yankees a wide berth and only use the list I
gave you in case you got into any serious trouble & required
protection. I have no friends on the Yankee side. The enemies of my country are my enemies and I feel assured are also my Laura’s enemies.
[some missing]
We are bound to whip the Yankees this time worse than ever and it will
not be many months before I lead the triumphant advance into
Pennsylvania. Let me caution you in the mean time to be prepared
for the most outrageous slanders on us and our cause. Turn a deaf
ear to all accounts and keep an abiding faith in the justness of our
cause and the help of God.”
[some missing]
Will you forget me? I am
vain enough Laura to be flattered with the hope that you are among the
few of mankind that neither time, place, or circumstance can alter
– that your regard, which I so dearly prize,
will not wane with yon moon that saw our last parting, but endure to
the end. That whatever betide me in this eventful year you will
in the corner of that heart so full of noble impulses find a place in
which to stow away from worldly view the “Young Brigadier,”
even when that bulletproof helmet [illegible] has fulfilled its
mission. I do not wish you to destroy this but keep it and take
it out occasionally to remind you of the thoughts & sentiments of
“the absent one.” I left my notepaper in my trunk you
which is not now here, you must therefore excuse this sheet. You
will no doubt get this tomorrow. Can you guess who wrote this,
I’ll let you try. Good bye.