Memphis--

April the 1st, 1863

Dearest Ida--

My Own Darling Wife…

How do you do, dear Annie, this morning? Well I hope well and sleeping. So soft and sweet for ‘tis now 2 o’clock and I hope you have nothing to keep you all awake. So sleep on, sweet one, and dream of "My", oh yes, you may dream that I am still the same old friend—not only friend--but your own dear husband. Now Ida Mullett, don’t think I am trying to fool you about it just because it’s April Fool's day, for I mean every word of it and more too, but I can’t find words to tell it to you. So I don’t know but you will have to dream the rest. And if you do, just imagine that my arms are around your neck and that I am clasping you to my heart with all the pride and affection of a fond husband and father. You may also imagine the fond kisses without number that I would imprint on those rosy cheeks, them sweet lips and that fair white brow. O my Ida, you may fancy all this--and even more, and then you won’t have felt the hundredth part of my love for you. No, No, dear Pet, nothing but my presence there could explain the affection that is in my heart for you. I used to long years ago when you was a sweet little girl, that I loved you. O, yes, when we used to meet together and have our fond little chit chats, Then I fancied that you were the best little girl that ever I see.

Annie, do you remember the old log cabin on the hill where you used to live and the old big armchair and what good times you and me used to have there. O, you blessed darling that first fond kiss filled me with joy and pleasure and then there is the old orchard in the meadow where the strawberries used to grow. T’was there I first make your acquaintance and first learned to admire you and I can truly say that I do not regret that blest hour when fast I saw you and them bright, black eyes sparked with all the life and light of innocence and love. We were then young and inexperienced, but I believe Dear Annie, that from that very hour that our hearts affection was firmly and inseparably interwoven together and around each other in a true affection that to even time nor space nor sorrow can separate.

No, dear Annie, I believe that [our] love is as pure today as it has ever been and have we not passed through some hard ordeals? Such as would try the strongest hearts? But still, we have been sustained and that same affection has only grown brighter and brighter and more lasting and I do believe that although we are separated for a time and should it be God’s will that we must [be] no more on earth, that through the lapse of time and space that same affection will still be bright and we shall if faithfully put our trust and confidence in Him who rules the world and all things, enjoy each others society in that bright climb where there is no war and no more sorrow and strife. But God has been very good to us and let us put our trust in him and if it is his blessed will, we shall yet be permitted to meet and enjoy many happy days together.

I trust this war will close within a year or 2 at most, and perhaps it may sooner—we know not. And the lord hath led me safe through toil and danger of every sort and we must trust Him to guide and direct our ways through coming time. Do not let us doubt for God is love.

Well, dear Ida, as I have sat here alone tonight, my mind has wandered back over our past lives. I can see some little faults, but my heart and thoughts love to linger over the many pleasant times that we have enjoyed together and amongst the rest is the one when last I saw you in the State of New York. O, yes, how fondly do I remember that little interview as we stood on the bridge over the babbling brook whose clear waters swept gently past your door. The bight moon and clear blue sky with its thousands of bright starts was shining overhead in all their splendor and beauty. T’was there in the still hours of a pleasant Spring evening, our arms around each others neck and we made a solemn vow and sealed it with a kiss. We were then about to separate for years. We knew not how long, but our young hearts beat fondly and true. Long years have flown since then, and how have we have kept our vow of love and union.

Although we have had adverse circumstances to pass through and for five long years, were we destined to be separated yet we did not forget. And although there was a time when all seemed dark and cheerless, yet it was only for a time when all seemed dark and cheerless, yet it was only for a time, and the day seemed the brighter after so dark a night and often since, as we have stood and gazed up at the bright, silvery moon, have we encircled each other with our arms and blessed that happy little visit on the bridge. We have faithfully kept our promise and have we ought to regret, I hear my own dear darling Ida answer in a soft, sweet confiding voice…. As for myself, I have always thought I was the luckiest man living. I have no reason to regret the day that made us friends for you have ever been all in all to me, and now in these times of adversity, I am more than glad that I have a friend, a companion in one who can sympathize with me and one who is ever ready with a fond simile and a pleasant word to cheer the heart of the absent, weary, trail worn soldier.

May God’s choicest blessings rest upon you, is my prayer. Well, Annie, dear, I didn’t think I would write much when I sat down, but the men have been middling quiet, and I have only had to get up a few times to see to them, and my mind has wandered back to the pleasant scenes of old times, and how could I help but write, for I love to think of them good old times, especially when I gave you a good kissing and hugging in the old arm chair some 10 or 15 years ago—saying nothing about the saw logs, other little times too numerous to mention….”