p.

Head Quarters 74th Ills Vols
Chattanooga Tenn Oct 3d 1863
Dearest Lydia
Well my darling
I believe I have nothing of more
importance for this evening than
writing a few words for you
Above all things would it please
me to behold the light of your
countenance to take you in
these arms to look into your eyes
and talk to you even for one
short hour would I think be the
happiest hour of my life
Little did I realize when we
were together how much I should
ever long to see you so true
it is that we do not appreciate
blessings while they are in our
possession but I hope the lesson
may be useful in after life