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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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From Albert E. Swap to miss Sarah E. Watson, Mendota, IL
*enlisted Aug 25, 1862 pvt. Co. C, 6th ILL Cavalry
 mustered out July 12, 1865
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                         White Station
                                  Oct 8th 1864

Dearest Cousin

Again I address you a few lines in answer to your very welcome letter
which came to hand yesterday and I was very glad to hear from you
again.  You seem to think that I intend to marry soon but you are
mistaken If I know myself at all it will not be for a year at least.
I am not tied up to the gay belles of the south as some might think.
I am not so fond of tobacco as all of that comes to but there is not
so much of that used as there is of snuff they eat that (wrapped up
around right side) and ______.

[page 2]
I hope you do not begin to dis___ of a companion for life a gay young
Lady of only about 18.  Summers of such Sparkling Eyes and gay and
happy ways I think you are blessed with the greatest of Heavens
Blessing you will be very much mistaken when you think you will see a
Mrs. attached to one of my letters when it comes to that I will quit
writing to you and do all of my conversations by the word of mouth to
the one of my choice providing I can get her but I suppose I will have
to go somewheres where I am not very well acquainted to get a
companion.  But that does not marry me very much as I like the single
life very well that is the reason I think it better for me to stay in
the army

[page 3]
than to go home I am affeared that some of the pretty Lasses of the
north might throw their net over me and entangle me for Life But Coz
you know we all have curious ways while we are young but get over them
as we grow older I acknollage that I did not know how to apresiate the
company of a young Lady until I have been deprived of the same but
still I think three years from home will be a good lesson for the most
of us.  forgive all you see amiss I am so confused that I cannot write
I have had to stop four times since I commenced this letter  Mr. Fish
just arrived here today from Ophir(?) he was taken Prisoner at
Collierville one year ago the 11th of this month Cha's Dewey is well
Give my respects to all enquiring friends and reserve all the good for
your self

[page 4]
You asked I was ever in Love I own that is a very hard question and I
will decline answering at present hoping to be able to give a more
correct answer in future than I could at present.

Truly your friend and well wishes
A.E. Swap