University of Virginia Library

Letter from William Francis Brand to Amanda Catherine Armentrout, January 21, 1864

I take the present
opportunity of answering your
letter of the tenth. I was truly glad
to hear fromyou But alas it
bore tidings that went like
poisind misles to my heart
I have set down before for the
purpose of writing to you; but
my heart failed me, And now with
a sad heart, I attempt to drop
you a few lines, My health is
very good, this I sincerely hope
may find you enjoying both
health and hapineſs, I have
no news of moment; worth your
attneention so you must look
for an uninterresting letter
You may well imagine my heart is full

to over flowing; you ask me if my
K— would prove faithleſs towards
me could I forgive her. Dear Kate you
know that I have a forgiving heart
If you should learn to love another
man better than me; or that you could
enjoy your future hapineſs better with
your first lover than with boor W
I would be heartleſs not to free you
& forgive you; though I could never
forget or seace to love you. To harber
such thoughts as I have alluded
to above make me feel miserable:
To think that my first love should
be rect. or thrown away on one fair
to good for me, one that is good
pure & virtueous who made vows unto
me while her first love seemed to be
dieing away, Then after a long time
she again meets him: & her old love
is rekindled for him, & she to good
and kind to hide it from me
has opened her hold heart to me And asks me what she ought to
do under such circumstances
Dear Kate what kind of an answer
can I give but pray Almighty God
to help you to prove true to who
ever you love; best; I am resined to
the will of providence Dear Kate if
you should ever learn to forget me
I pray thee to never boast of having fooled
me; thareby ading pain to a true but
wounded heart, if you should sease
to love I would have nothing to live
for in this world; I do'nt see that
I should desire to live out this
war But would be wiling to throw
my self in danger of the misles of
death that I might quit this
frail world & be at reast I will
change this; to me; “painfull subject.
I hope that you are happy and are
trying to interrest your kind &
docile Brother that is now with you.
I hope he may enjoy evry hour of his short stay at home, I was
on picket when he started for
home; Brother John is at home on
furlough poor fellow was very sick
when he left camp I went as far as
Orange with him. I have had to haul him
thare in a ambulance I have never
hurd from him but hope he arrived
safly at home, No doubt he will
pay you all a visit before return
ing to camp, oh yes you said that in
fifteen days that Lizzie was going to leave
home you left me to gueſs for what purpose
I supposed that she is going to get mar
ried if so I would like very much to
be at home & see her name changed
my kindest regards to L— & tell her
that I wish her much hapineſs through
all the changes of this life My repects
to all enquiring friends if thare be
any I had a very strange dream the
other night I drempt that me & you had
fallen out & Rachel Cro was intersee
ding for me, I must close you must write
soon & a long letter give me all the
perticulars consurning L.nothing more