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Regiment: 18th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Friend Ettie
Here goes for another
letter, I dont know what I shall write about,
perhaps anything and evrything that comes in
my mind, and if I do, I shall write some
strange things, and you can make a note of
it in your memorandum, as strange thoughts
from a strange man, and by the way I must
not be to egotistical, as I may expose some of
my bad qualities to you, and then there would
be a chance for feelings of indifference and
that you know I do not wish, but I will try
and keep within bounds of etiquette and
please you, with what would please me.
I might upon some of those lines approach
the subject of love, but then you know that
is a verry delicate subject to talk about,
while it brings about sometimes, feelings
of ingratitude and distrust, yet, you are good
natured and so am I, I hope, and there would
be but a little chance for feelings of an
indifferent kind between us. I like to
talk about love sometimes just for fun
and when I really get to thinking about the
matter, “seriously” of course, I am half
inclined to believe that I am really in love
and yet, it dies away after a while, and
leaves me to believe that they were only
skeptical thoughts flashing through my
my mind, only to find a resting place in
some, more settled mind. Were you ever
in love, now Ettic that a verry fair question
but its a question I should ask you if I were
conversing with you personally, and in writing
a letter I like to write the same as if I
were talking to you, it seems more friendly
and old fashioned, and there are old fashions
that I cannot forget, for instance old
fashioned love, now there was once a little
girl and a little boy, years ago, that little
boy loved that little girl, the boy and girl
growed to man and woman hood, and so
did the love, that boy and girl separated, he
takeing her love with him, and she takeing
his love with her. each, sworn to love
never to forget, and never to meet again.
Now aint that romantic. You asked me in
your letter, ‘which I received yesterday, who it
was, with propriety, I cannot tell you, you
do not know her, nor never saw her, but
to me she is no more, and with some one,
whoever it may be, I must share my affections
to love and be loved, is all in the (course of
human events), is natural, and by nature
we are endowed, and should exercise a
feeling of Love toward each other, not at
evry opportunity to carry it to excess, but treat
it mildly and with the noble mind and
sentiment which naturally should follow
peace and happiness to all.
Now I will finish my letter, for since I commenced
it I have been walking out in the country takeing
the fresh air. Tis verry pleasant to walk down by
the river side and see the Boats as they pass and
such beautiful weather to, it allmost makes me
homesick, and reminds me of younger times, when
I used to be surrounded with all the Comforts of
life, and better than all, a loveing little heart
But those times all past from me
and I have only to hope for better days
to come. Now I will not weary your
patience any longer and will close this
letter. You will please answer this as soon
as convenient and oblige your friend and
well wisher.
Clinton
Nashville Sunday March 6
th /64
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mariette E Camp
Hillsdale
Michigan
