Dark Entry
July 4th, 1862
My dearest wife,
As I have an opportunity of sending you a letter I cannot refrain from writing the idol of my heart's affection although you now owe me two letters but I know it is not your fault for there must be at least two letters for me at Waynesville, waiting for someone to bring them down. I have been here nearly a week and have not received a letter from you in ten days but you see I don't blame you for the delay, but attribute it to the mail man's not bringing them from Waynesville. Oh! darling, I had such a sweet
dream about you and Eula last night. I love to dream about you and her, because the feelings are the same as though they were real. I don't think there is an hour of my life spent unless I think of you and her, it is the last thing I do and night and the first thing in the morning. Do you and Eula ever think of poor absent papa? I know I can answer the question, but would prefer to have you do it. When you write again I wish you would tell me to what time we paid for John's wages. We have all forgotten up to what time the payment was made. I sent you by Witter fifty-six dollars. I would have sent you more but forgot and put my money in the trunk and left it to Waynesville; however I will send you more just as soon as I can get it. Dark Entry is a very poor place to stay at although we have some very clever neighbors. You must excuse this short letter, dear wife, as I have not time to write any more. Give my love to all, and a thousand sweet kisses to my dear little girl. Now darling the greatest fear I have in your being absent is that Eula will forget papa when she comes back [1]. I know darling Mamma never will forget him so that will partly make up for Eula. You must write often to me dear wife and direct to Waynesville. Henry joins me in love to all.
Your own affectionate Nate.
[1] Loulie and Eula were in Marietta with Loulie's parents during the summer to avoid the coastal heat and to see medical treatment.