Miss Kate Armentrout
Greenville
Augusta Co
Va
Dec 22nd 1865
Fredericksburg Va
My Own Sweet Sis. Kate
Your most dear, & ever welcome letter of the 3rd
inst. reached me safely a few days ago which found
me very well & truly glad to hear from & to hear that you
together with your father's family were enjoying good health &
prosperity, with the exception of the little bad feeling which prevented you
from attending Church but I truly hope that ere this reaches you, you may be
fully restored to perfect health again. Well Sis.
Kate it is now drawing
very near
Christmas. Many in this place are in anticipation of a gay time, at balls
& parties but I dont expect to be here during
the Christmas. My calculation is to leave here Christams night for home if I am
not disappointed. That is if the Steam Boat does not fail to make its usual trip
from Baltimore. I cannot tell now whether I will return to this place soon or
not, it depends altogether upon future arrangements. I reckon you had better not
answer this, until you hear from me again as
there is no regular line of communication to my County & as it is near
mid winter the Steamers are about making there last
trips. Consequently we are
soon to be
deprived of the only means of Public conveyence or Communications with this
place Should I return to Fredericksburg again I will write to you immediately. I
truly hope you may spend a pleasant time during the Christmas. I really wish it
was in my power to visit you this Christams I am sure I could spend a pleasant
time. it was two years the 14
th of
this month since we parted. Well do I remember that eventfull day. What strange things time has brought about. Two years
ago we knew each other only as strangers tonight I address you my Dear Kate as
Sister & must say as I have often said I love you as such I feel like I
am writing to one
who truly merits all
my love, in whose heart I am proud to say I have a place, according to my
unshaken confidence in your most noble & worthy self. Remember my dear
Sister that though we be ever separated, you will ever be a bright star on the
pages of my fond memory if life is spared & fortune smiles I am
determined to see you. I assure you there is nothing that would be more
gratifying to me than a visit to Rose Dale, the home of my much love Sister Kate. The night is growing old I must close
for the present by wishing you a Merry Christmas & happy New Year my
love to all, wish your dear self may God forever bless you.
