Augusta: William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout,
January 21, 1864
Summary:
William writes to Kate that he will release her if she so desires although he
loves her. He then describes the sickness of her brother John and his resulting
furlough as well as camp life.
Miss Kate Armentrout
Greenville
Augusta County
Virginia
Miss Kate Armentrout
January 21th /64
Camp Randolphs
My Dear friend
I take the present opportunity of answering your letter of the tenth. I was truly
glad to hear from you But alas it bore tidings that went like poisoned
missiles 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 happiness, I
have no news of moment; worth your attention so
you must look for an uninteresting letter You
may well imagine my heart is full
[page 2]
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 happiness better
with your first lover than with poor
Willie I would be heartless not to free you &
forgive you; though I could never forget or cease to
love you. To harbor such thoughts as I have alluded to
above make me feel miserable: To think that my first love should be wrecked or thrown away on one far
too good for me, one that is good pure & virtuous who made vows unto me while her first love
seemed to be dying 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 whole
heart to me
[page 3]
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 resigned
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; thereby
adding pain to a true but wounded heart, if you should
cease to love I would have nothing to live for in
this world; I don't see that I should desire to live out
this war But would be willing to throw my self in
danger of the missiles of death that I might quit this
frail world & be at rest I will change this; to
me; painful subject. I hope that you are happy and
are trying to interest your kind & docile
Brother that is now with you. I hope he may enjoy every
hour
[page 4]
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 there in a ambulance I have never heard from
him but hope he arrived safely at home, No doubt he
will pay you all a visit before returning 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 married 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 happiness
through all the changes of this life My respects to
all enquiring friends if there be any I had a very
strange dream the other night I dreamt that me
& you had fallen out & Rachel Crobarger was interceding for me, I must close you must write
soon & a long letter give me all the particulars
concerning L nothing more
But remain yours truly as ever
W.
You will please never show this to any one
