Page 2

Page 2

love her as a daughter and sister, that is if you could love any southern lady. And perhaps you would wonder if she has any darkeys, and in answer I will say she has a few. Now do not be to (sic) hasty in your judgement, and I know you would not if you knew what I do. I do not know how you all feel these days. But this I do know, - that you would feel entirely different if you could visit us for a few weeks. But it will do no good for me to write about our institutions so I will simply say that I do believe in them and so would you, I believe. I often think that I would like to know what you think of this war whether you think the Federals will succeed or not. And as I cannot know what you think, I shall write what I think for fear I will not have another opportunity very soon. I do most honestly and fiercely believe that we the Confederates (or Rebels) as the Federals are pleased to call us, will succeed and finally be a free and independent people. We are bound to be free or die, and why will not the abolitionists let us be so. Echo answers why? Our people are on the defensive and will probably remain so. I wish the war could close; and we could have peace once more; but not on any other terms than an honorable independence to the Confederacy would I agree to, and that is the minds of our whole country with the exception of a few worthless men who have no honor or character, and had rather desert than stay in camp. I never felt worse than I did when I learned of brother Joseph's death. I loved him like a brother; And then to think that he should die away from his friends, and the comforts of home and in the army too, oh how sad. I had felt all