23rd Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-120

Description

3 pages in period ink, written by Joel C. Prine

Winchester, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
May 27th 1865

Dear Mary,

Your sweet letter was thankfully received last night. Oh Mary you do not know how happy I was to receive your sweet letter but I was solely disappointed when I did not find your sweet face in it but I shall look for it in the next letter. For in this I will send you my face but it is a very poor one for I had my old clothes on and you can see that my coat is all wrinkled up and my face is all sunburned so that I could hardly get it taken at all but it will act as a substitute until I get home. But do not forget to send your face to me for I long to see you or your sweet fact at haste. For I love you as clear as I do the sun that shines over us.

Dear, you spoke about me calling you Duckey. I will tell you why it is because I love you and I am not afraid or ashamed to tell you here for if I was there I would tell you to your face.

Dear, I cannot tell when I will be at home but I hope it will not be long at least. For I long to see you and appreciate the happiness and sweetness of your kisses and your caresses. Oh I long to clasp you to my bosom and press to your lips a burning kiss and not only one but many will be the number for I love to kiss pretty little Duckey and to squeeze them. I am a good hand as well as anything else so that you know by experience for the time that you saw me. Well something else to write Mary. I have been up the Valley 100 miles to the Valley of Virginia to the City of Staunton and last night and I was happy to get your letter so I will have to close for the present time. So goodbye for this time. I remain your much esteemed true and loving admirer,

J. C. Prine

When this you see, remember me and always bear it in mind that I will be a friend to thee when others are unkind.